Long Beach officials consider allowing dogs on beaches, boardwalk in offseason

Long Beach could join the handful of Long Island municipalities that allow dogs on their beaches in the offseason, under a pilot program, the outlines of which have yet to be determined.

City officials said at a public hearing last week that they were considering changing the municipal code to allow the City Council to permit dogs on the beach and boardwalk by a resolution to be proposed in the future.

City Manager Daniel Creighton said at the Oct. 20 hearing that Long Beach had received an online petition with more than 1,600 signatures requesting that dogs be allowed on the beach during the offseason.

“The beach and boardwalk are our city's crown jewels, so we are well aware that there are strong opinions on both sides of this matter,” Creighton said. “That said, this council has heard from the residents, and rather than just continue a long-standing culture of saying no to various issues, we are willing to at least entertain the idea with a pilot program.”

The city charter prohibits dogs from entering the beach or boardwalk at any time. It also prohibits dogs from entering certain city-owned property including parks, playgrounds and recreation areas, unless designated as an allowable dog area by the city manager.

Under the proposed charter change, the City Council would be empowered to authorize dog access "via resolution, along with any limitations and or restrictions it deems reasonable" to the beach and boardwalk.

The charter does allow licensed concessionaires to bring horses onto certain areas of the beach from October through April. 

Residents speak out

More than a dozen people spoke on the proposal at the hearing, with most favoring it.

“It's great for the dogs. It's great for the community, too,” Long Beach resident Lisa Gorenberg, who started the online petition to allow leashed dogs on the beach from October to April, told the City Council. “You make friends. You build community.”

As of Tuesday, the petition on change.org had 2,024 signatories.

Daniel Moran, of Long Beach, urged the council to vote against the proposal, saying irresponsible dog owners are “ruining it for everyone” by ignoring the rules.

“I regularly see people letting their dogs run loose and defecate on our beach,” Moran said. “People walk barefoot on our beach. Children play in that sand. They shouldn't have to worry about stepping in dog waste or being bitten by a dog whose owners insist, 'Don't worry, he's friendly.' ”

The fine for bringing a dog onto the beach is $150.

“We definitely have animal control out there,” city spokesman John McNally said in an interview. “There’s people out there every morning” with dogs. 

Barbara Dillon, of Long Beach, told the council that regulations could address the cleanliness issue.

“People don't clean up after their kids, and we let kids on the beach in the summer, so why not let our little four-legged furry friends run around?” Dillon said. “I would totally support people being fined for not cleaning up after their dogs.”

Local laws that prohibit or permit dogs on beaches vary widely across Long Island, and some that generally prohibit dogs make exceptions for service dogs.  

Babylon and Riverhead do not permit dogs on their beaches, and Riverhead allows only working dogs.

Southampton, East Hampton and Atlantic Beach, the latter which is just west of Long Beach, all allow some dog access during the colder months.

Huntington generally prohibits dogs on the sand but allows them on boardwalks. Southold allows dogs on its beaches during certain hours in warmer months but not in bathing areas where a lifeguard is on duty. 

Last week's hearing was adjourned and will continue Nov. 4. City Council president Brendan Finn said the council would vote after the hearing concludes next month.