Old Orchard Beach approves new beach rules for dogs

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Next summer dogs will have to be on leash when on the beach in the evenings.

The Town Council unanimously approved ordinance revisions on Tuesday night that will change the rules regarding dogs on the beach.

Under the new regulations, from May 15 to Labor Day, dogs will not be allowed on the beach from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dogs will be allowed on the beach from 5 p.m. until dusk if on a leash and on the beach unleashed before 9 a.m. during these months. Pet owners must keep their dogs at least 100 feet away from areas posted or sectioned off as designated piping plover resting areas.

The early morning hours will be the only time from May 15 to Labor Day that pet owners can bring their dogs on the beach without a leash. After Labor Day, dogs can be on the beach without a leash during the day until May 15. While unleashed, dogs must remain under sight and voice control.

Those who violate the regulations regarding dogs on the beach in the summer could face a $100 fine.

Under town ordinance, dog leashes used on the beach from May 15 to Labor Day must be no longer than 12 feet. Under the town’s definition of voice and sight control, dogs must return immediately to and remain by the side of the responsible party in response to a verbal command and must always be within sight of their responsible party. If a dog approaches or remains within 10 feet of any person other than their responsible party, the dog is considered not under voice control unless the person has communicated by voice or gesture that they consent to the presence of the dog.

Town Councilor Larry Mead said while the new regulations for dogs on the beach were not out of line with other coastal communities, they will still be less restrictive than many nearby beaches.

He said if the town beach’s dog rules remained much lenient than neighboring beaches, the beach would be taken advantage of by people from other communities.

“I don’t want Old Orchard Beach to be an outlier, with respect to other communities, other beach towns, in terms of how our beach is made available to dogs, whether they’re on leash or off leash,” said Mead.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.