It’s officially summer and as families head to the beach, that often includes the family dog.
Area beach towns say they welcome four-legged visitors but remind dog owners planning a day at the beach that there are rules to follow and safety tips to keep in mind.
Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Director Alesia Sanderson said the town is a pet friendly one with residents and visitors often seen walking their dogs along its pathways as well as strolling or playing along the beach strand.
She and her 4-year-old chocolate lab are among them.
But a dog’s day at the beach comes with responsibility, Sanderson said.
“Personally, I take my dog out in the early morning or late afternoon because dogs can’t take the heat like we can,” she said. “And I always take water and a bag to clean up after her.”
Tripswithpets.com, an online resource for pet travel, offers a variety of tips for pet owners planning beach vacations.
Once dog owners know they can take their dog with them to the beach, they also need to consider that the beach can mean two temperature extremes for your pet: heat from the sun and possibly cold ocean water.
Safety for dogs
With the sun and heat a particular issue during the summer beach season, heat stroke is one to watch.
Some signs of heat stroke in a dog include rapid panting; a bright red tongue; thick, sticky saliva, weakness; vomiting; and diarrhea.
If you think your dog has heat stroke, take immediate steps to move the pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water all over his body. Apply ice packs or cool towels to his head, neck and chest, and allow him to drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes, according to an article by tripswithpets.com founder Kim Salerno.
And take your dog to the nearest vet.
To help prevent heat stroke, take an umbrella to ensure shade and lots of fresh, cool water.
Fresh water is needed for drinking. It can also be used in a spray bottle to spray the dog down for temperature regulation, Salerno said.
It can also be used to clean sand and saltwater from a dog’s paws since it can cause irritation and dry out sensitive paws.
Likewise, Sanderson said, there is a responsibility to respect others on the beach and to follow rules intended for the public safety.
Bring the leash
Towns along Bogue Banks and Topsail Island allow dogs on their beaches but have varying rules requiring that dogs be kept on a leash and that pet owners clean up the poop their pooch may leave behind.
The town of Atlantic Beach allows dogs on the beach but they must be on a leash at all times. The only restriction is on the times of day dogs can be at the beach at the Circle area.
Dogs can be walked at the Circle from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. but because the lifeguarded beach has a high traffic area, dogs are not allowed at the main beach at other hours.
Atlantic Beach isn’t specific about the length of the leash but other towns are.
Emerald Isle amended its rule this year to set a maximum leash length of 20 feet. North Topsail Beach allows a leach length of up to 25 feet and Surf City has a maximum leash length of 10 feet.
And all towns require that the owners keep hold of the leash so their dog is under their control at all times.
All the towns also require that dog owners clean up after their pet.
Many of the beach accesses have bags available and the towns note that garbage receptacles are there for a reason.
North Topsail Beach Town Clerk Carin Faulkner said they occasionally get complaints about loose dogs but overall she finds that local and visiting dog owners are respectful of others on the beach.
“I think we’re very dog friendly here,” she said. “I walk daily from town hall to the town park and I see people out frequently with their dogs.”
Town officials note that the leash laws are for public safety. Even the best trained dogs may react on instinct to other dogs, people or scents and may not follow commands.
They also remind dog owners to keep their dogs safe.
“Don’t let them drink the salt water, don’t leave them in a car unattended, and remember that the sand can be just as hot on the dog’s feet as it is ours and the shells just as sharp on their paws,” said Surf City Tourism Director Allan Libby.
Jannette Pippin is a staff writer at the Jacksonville Daily News. Reach her at 910-382-2557 or jannette.pippin@jdnews.com.
Keep these points in mind
Don’ts:
Don’t let your dogs go into areas on the beach where they’re not allowed. Dunes and grassy areas need to be protected from any sort of environmental damage that a dog might cause
Don’t let your dog out of your site. Not even once. Paying attention and being proactive will go a long way in protecting you and your dog. The last thing you want is to be sued for a dog fight or by someone that had a run-in with your dog
Don’t forget to bring the leash, beach towels, umbrella, fresh water, and doggie sunscreen (yes, you can actually get sunscreen specifically made for dogs)
Don’t leave a mess behind. Don’t count on the beach supplying waste bags, so bring your own and be diligent about cleaning up. No one wants to find a surprise just laying on the beach or buried in the sand
Dos:
Do make sure your dog’s vaccinations are current and that he’s wearing the proper ID. Keep your vet’s number on hand just in case something happens
Do check the ocean for jellyfish and stingrays. A sting to your dog will be sure to ruin both his and your experience
Do set a time limit for your beach trip. A couple hours might be just the right amount of time at the beach, depending on your dog’s activity level. At the first sign of your dog tiring, pack it up and get back on the road
Do bring toys and balls to throw and find sticks to fetch