Dogs and horses and people … oh my!

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 7, 2017 11:00 a.m.

2016/17 Fernandina Beach City Commission: (l-r) Vice Mayor Len Kreger, Commissioner Roy Smith, City Attorney Tammi Bach, Mayor Robin Lentz, City Manager Dale Martin, Commissioner Tim Poynter, Commissioner John Miller

The 2016-17 Fernandina Beach City Commission concluded its deliberations with a discussion billed on the agenda as “Dogs on City Beaches.” Early in the half hour discussion it became apparent that there was no unanimity about the need to change existing ordinances or provide special areas or parks so that dog owners might be able to provide more freedom for their pets on the beach without leashes.   The final action was a unanimous decision to table the item for consideration by the next commission.

Currently, by city ordinance, dogs are allowed on Atlantic Ocean beaches, but must be under leash, as defined by the city’s animal control regulations; dogs are not permitted to run at large—on beaches or anywhere else in the city. City Attorney Tammi Bach had been asked by commissioners at a previous meeting to bring back some options for consideration. Mayor Robin Lentz had specifically asked about the possibility of having part of the beach designated as a “dog beach” during certain hours of the day to allow dogs to run without leashes.

By and large, commission reaction was not positive. Vice Mayor Len Kreger suggested that the city enforce the existing ordinance before moving on to discuss creating a dog beach. He said that most of the violators were residents. While Lentz continued to express a desire to find a way for dogs to enjoy unfettered access to the beach and ocean, other commissioners were less enthusiastic, citing problems for human visitors that overly friendly or aggressive dogs can create.

The discussion morphed into a larger discussion of safety problems that appear to be increasing along with the rise in beach visitors. Some of the concerns included:

  • Unlicensed dogs
  • Waste from dogs and horses
  • Alcohol consumption on the beach
  • Discarded cigarette butts.

Commissioner John Miller raised the possibility of creating a Beach Patrol to insure that all beachgoers – 2- or 4-footed – adhere to city rules. He said he liked the idea of designating an isolated area where dogs could be allowed to run during set times.

Commissioner Tim Poynter compared the dog issue to the horse problem. “These problems exist,” he said, “because we have no enforcement of existing ordinances.” He raised problems of locating a dog beach where it would not prove to be a problem to homeowners, drawing comparisons to the ongoing complaints regarding horses on the beach. He commended Lentz for having the item put on the agenda for discussion, but said that commissioners seemed to support enforcement of existing restrictions, not moving forward on a dog beach.

Kreger supported the issuance of citations as a means of discouraging scofflaws. He left the door open for considering a dog beach in the future.

Betsie Huben

Audience member Betsie Huben addressed the commissioners. She recalled a recent police report of an incident involving an unleashed dog attacking another dog and its owner on a city beach. The owner of the attacking dog never stopped to render assistance or provide proof that her dog had been vaccinated against rabies. Huben said, “I take my 20-month old grandson to the beach. There are people who look around and look to see if there is anyone likely to say anything if they unleash their dog. We are way past time for having some sort of enforcement for a lot of items on our beach … I am in complete agreement that if you start ticketing or citing people for [violating ordinances], it will stop. No one will want to pay the fines. I think it’s a problem, and we need to fix it through enforcement.”

Commissioners tabled the discussion for consideration by the new commission.

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

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Chris Hadden
Chris Hadden (@guest_50012)
6 years ago

Here is an opinion I am sure will be very unpopular. I very much wonder what is going on with the “dog syndrome” here on the island. I do not fully understand it. Perhaps it goes to people missing something in their lives. The fact that we now have dogs everywhere. They now sit at my bar, or next to me while eating out. Pushed in baby carriages, swimming in the town pool. Parades for them. I saw someone in home depot the other day with a dog. Last year I was shopping at Publics and a couple came in with a dog. I am standing there buying eggs and there is a dog sniffing my leg. Really, this is where we have come to? Down by the airport there is a whole park with a pool built just for dogs…I could go on and on. but I don’t want to be driven off the island for my dissident belief structure. I’ll just sum it up. People have lost their minds. No please do not make a “dog beach” completely ridiculous. I have no problem people walking a dog on a beach. Keep it on a leash, pickup after it. Be respectful, do not let it come near me. Any dog seen off the leash should be immediately reported to the police department.

Christine Corso
Christine Corso (@guest_50015)
6 years ago

As a dog owner, I do not support any suggestion to amend Public Policy to allow any dog to be off-leash and not under the control of their owner in any public area at any time of the day.

The Mayor’s proposal to allow dogs to be off-leash so they play in the surf also seemingly omits any thought about the impact of that activity on their individual safety and welfare.

Dogs in the surf will ingest salt water to varying degrees while swimming and the longer they are on the beach, they will drink ocean water if they don’t have access to fresh water. Salt water is not good for dogs, because just like in humans, it can cause dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea. Another factor is the potential to ingest algae, bacteria, and toxins. And if caught in a riptide, they can drown just as quickly as a human being. I have witnessed a dog drowning and it is not a pleasant event.

It appears that the Mayor and City Commissioners have forgotten that the Nassau Humane Society Dog Park, rated a top facility in the country by Tomlyn Veterinary Science (tomlyn.com), has a special swimming pool just for off-leash dogs to frolic in. Perhaps a visit to the Park by the Mayor and City Commissioners would be timely to preclude further time spent on this issue.

Viv Sharton
Viv Sharton (@guest_50020)
6 years ago

I’ve lived on the beach side of Fletcher for many years and although our dog is always leashed and always scooped, many others are not respectful of these rules. We pay exorbitant city taxes for the privilege of ocean frontage and yet often find ourselves having to wait to walk our dog because someone’s dog is running loose — and yes, we were attacked by a loose shepherd once. We also have to watch our step as dog waste is everywhere. Not only should there be fines for loose dogs and leaving waste, but the fines should be VERY punitive and well enforced. This is quite an ongoing frustration to ALL law-abiding citizens here.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
6 years ago

I agree with Chris to some degree that the “dog rights” have gone a bit too wacky. I travel by air frequently and now the number of dogs accompanying passengers as “service dogs” has gotten out of control. Last month I overheard one dog carrier brag to another how much money she saved from having to pay the airline’s dog crating fees and how easy and inexpensive it was to get her “service dog certification” online. This is spreading to lodging facilities and restaurants as service dogs must be accomodated. Don’t get me wrong, I think there is a very legitimate need for service dogs for those with limited vision and other infirmaties, but to be able to bring your dog on board because it helps calm you, is beyond the pale.
Always on a leash is an easy rule to enforce, although I understand the question of whether we want to deploy our police offices on beach patrol as the most effective utilization of their time. So, no leash you get a citation as well as you have to show proof of current rabies vaccination.

Judith Lane
Judith Lane(@judithlaneaol-com)
6 years ago

Dave, these are not service dogs, they are emotional support dogs. There is no online certification for service dogs, and there are two questions that the ADA permits to establish authenticity for the category.

Is this dog required to assist a person with a disability?

What tasks is this dog trained to perform to assist a person with a disability?

Florida law follows the ADA.

The city has a regulation that establishes the requirements for allowing pets at dining facilities—outside. Only true service dogs are allowed inside.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
6 years ago
Reply to  Judith Lane

Judith,
Thanks for the clarification. I know I can always rely on you for some education. But an “emotional support dog” still gets to ride on the airplane free.
And in searching the internet, I find a number of businesses that provide service dog “kits” with ID cards, harnesses, etc. and in going through the registration process at no time did it require me to submit any type of documentation that the dog had gone through training and certification. And since the ADA prevents being asked “by an owner, manager, or other representative of a business what your disability is that allows you to have a service dog. That information is private and you do not have to disclose it to anyone if you are asked. The only information that may be asked is if it is a service dog, and what tasks the service dog is trained to perform for you.” I have seen poodles and other small dogs wearing the “service dog” labels and while I understand any breed of dog can be trained to be a service dog, I just have to believe that many of these folks are scamming the system; just as those that ignore the leash laws. Take care!

Cheryl Duttweiler
Cheryl Duttweiler(@cbduttcomcast-net)
6 years ago

All I know is that Yes, I am a dog lover and there are very few “dog beaches” left in Florida….Fernandina Beach is one of the few where you can take your dog to walk the whole beach. Please do not give that up! However, on behalf of those who have been offended, I do agree we should honor the leash laws (people should be ticketed who do not honor it) and the clean -up behind our dogs (again, there should be a penalty). I do and so should others. But please do not let FB become a non-friendly dog-beach….it would be very sad, indeed! Thanks.