dogs on the beach

[mom2nateandlala]

hello, i am new here. and my family and i will be vacationing in the destin are this summer.

we want to bring our dog. does anyone know info about dogs on the beach or where i can go to find this info?
thanks mom2nateandlala

[ladybug8876]

mom2... I'm not from the area, so I can't help w/your question, but I'm sure someone will get back to you in a jiffy. Enjoy posting.

[Mermaid]

Here's what I pulled up for you:

http://www.destin-fwb.com/Resource/?c=147

and

http://www.waltontaxcollector.com/default.aspx?id=32

[PEARL]

It might seem ridiculous to say this, but PLEASE clean up after your pet. I love dogs, & brought mine to the beach for years. It makes me crazy to see people allow their dogs to dump on the beach, & they just kick sand over it! I guess they think the waves just wash it out. Those are the people who will be responsible for animals being banned altogether. I'm sure you're responsible, I just wanted to vent.

[ShallowsNole]

In order to get a permit for your dog to go on the beach in Walton County, you must be either a property owner or a permanent resident. There is no (legal) provision for visitors to take their pets on the beach.

In Okaloosa County, no animals are allowed on the beach at all.

However, there are many pet-friendy accomodations - you might try vrbo.com or pet-friendly-travel.com .

[aquaticbiology]

I wonder...

how do they know if you have a permit

how would they know if it was your dog, supposing I saw the dog police coming and shoved the leash into your hand and ran (a'la a nyc baggie drop)

couldn't you just use someone else's permit (or dog for that matter)

sorry if this dosen't make sense, I think the ginko's wearing off



"Officer, I swear, this guy just shoved this leash in my hand and took off - I never saw this dog before in my life! Honest!"

[Smiling JOe]

permits are a tag which must be on the dog's collar. Sheriff's Deputies can physically check for tag. I think the fine is very expensive, like $500, for not having proper permit for dog.

Ask Landlocked, the Deputies usually scope out potential violators with their binoculars long before you ever see them coming.

[ShallowsNole]

And if your dog happens to crap on the beach in front of a deputy, it's not real smart to just kick sand over it.

Several years ago, a lady who did just that said to the officer, "Well, I'm not about to pick it up in my HAND!"

The fine was pretty hefty...

[Jdarg]

And if your dog happens to crap on the beach in front of a deputy, it's not real smart to just kick sand over it.

Several years ago, a lady who did just that said to the officer, "Well, I'm not about to pick it up in my HAND!"

The fine was pretty hefty...

And my answer to her would have been "Well let me step in it with my bare feet and wipe them off on your beach towel...better yet, bend over lady!"

[John R]

dog owners like the above

ya gotta wonder, was this woman handed the dog two hours ago as a present? i bet her housekeeper/nanny changed her children.


jr

[Rita]

And if your dog happens to crap on the beach in front of a deputy, it's not real smart to just kick sand over it.

Several years ago, a lady who did just that said to the officer, "Well, I'm not about to pick it up in my HAND!"

The fine was pretty hefty...

Hefty fines and enforcement!

[John R]

Hefty fines and enforcement!

get it? Hefty®


jr

[Rita]

get it? Hefty®


jr

Our beach community has a couple doggie bag dispensers.

We always just carry a bag with us on walks, that's easy enough.

[Donna]

Be aware that the State Park does not allow animals at all. Even a completely indoor animal in an RV---not allowed. They have had problems with pets (especially cats) that escaped. The owners would go home sans kittie, who then becomes feral. Dogs love the beach, but the reality is that unleashed animals and wildlife-protected areas are not a good mix. I wish the sheriff deputies were as good about patrolling our neighborhood areas other than the beach. A lady who lives across the lane from us allows her dogs to roam for their toilets and they have used the landscaped area next to our pool. That's really what I want to do on my rare trips to Grayton---admire the Gulf view before scooping up four months worth of her two dogs' poop. Any ideas about how this could be stopped?

[Jdarg]

Be aware that the State Park does not allow animals at all. Even a completely indoor animal in an RV---not allowed. They have had problems with pets (especially cats) that escaped. The owners would go home sans kittie, who then becomes feral. Dogs love the beach, but the reality is that unleashed animals and wildlife-protected areas are not a good mix. I wish the sheriff deputies were as good about patrolling our neighborhood areas other than the beach. A lady who lives across the lane from us allows her dogs to roam for their toilets and they have used the landscaped area next to our pool. That's really what I want to do on my rare trips to Grayton---admire the Gulf view before scooping up four months worth of her two dogs' poop. Any ideas about how this could be stopped?

Collect it all and deposit it in her yard.

[Mermaid]

Be aware that the State Park does not allow animals at all. Even a completely indoor animal in an RV---not allowed. They have had problems with pets (especially cats) that escaped. The owners would go home sans kittie, who then becomes feral. Dogs love the beach, but the reality is that unleashed animals and wildlife-protected areas are not a good mix. I wish the sheriff deputies were as good about patrolling our neighborhood areas other than the beach. A lady who lives across the lane from us allows her dogs to roam for their toilets and they have used the landscaped area next to our pool. That's really what I want to do on my rare trips to Grayton---admire the Gulf view before scooping up four months worth of her two dogs' poop. Any ideas about how this could be stopped?

Next time you see it happen, pay her a neighborly visit and explain that it's not acceptable behavior. You're very calm and diplomatic, Donna, so I'm sure you could handle that awkward situation well. BTW, this is a really common problem! The advice columns always have "inconsiderate neighbor" letters from people. You are not alone.

[John R]

Any ideas about how this could be stopped?

a very vindictive friend of mine deposits it back in the offendind neighbor's yard after collecting it and pouring bacon grease all over it.

or you could just collect it and deposit it on her front step sans grease, she'll get the hint.


jr

[Paula]

Be aware that the State Park does not allow animals at all. Even a completely indoor animal in an RV---not allowed. They have had problems with pets (especially cats) that escaped. The owners would go home sans kittie, who then becomes feral. Dogs love the beach, but the reality is that unleashed animals and wildlife-protected areas are not a good mix. I wish the sheriff deputies were as good about patrolling our neighborhood areas other than the beach. A lady who lives across the lane from us allows her dogs to roam for their toilets and they have used the landscaped area next to our pool. That's really what I want to do on my rare trips to Grayton---admire the Gulf view before scooping up four months worth of her two dogs' poop. Any ideas about how this could be stopped?

Figure out when the dogs tend to be out without a leash, ask the sheriff to patrol the area at that time, explain your problem with this neighbor, and ask if they would enforce the fines if the dogs are noticed not to be on a leash. Once this woman gets a few fines (if they're really $500, that could add up). I figure she knows the rules and doesn't think they apply to her for some reason.

[pgurney]

Figure out when the dogs tend to be out without a leash, ask the sheriff to patrol the area at that time, explain your problem with this neighbor, and ask if they would enforce the fines if the dogs are noticed not to be on a leash. Once this woman gets a few fines (if they're really $500, that could add up). I figure she knows the rules and doesn't think they apply to her for some reason.

That's a good idea, but I'd give the owner a chance to do something first. She/he may not know where her dogs are going and may not think that anybody has a problem with it. Some people just need to be made aware - could even be done through a letter.

[Smiling JOe]

I don't think the Sheriff's Office is responsible for unleashed dogs on the streets and in the yards.

As suggested earlier, if the neighbor with the pooping problem dog does not listen to your words, and correct the behavior, I suggest going a step beyond collecting the poop and placing in her yard. (John's bacon grease sounds interesting.) I suggest collecting the poop and placing it at her front door and her back door too if she uses it.

[pgurney]

Then there's always mailing it back to her, since you live out of town and all. :)

[Jdarg]

That's a good idea, but I'd give the owner a chance to do something first. She/he may not know where her dogs are going and may not think that anybody has a problem with it. Some people just need to be made aware - could even be done through a letter.

Believe me, she knows exactly what her dogs are doing. She doesn't have to pick up her dogs' poop, so she is either A)extremely rude and thoughtless, or B)delusional and thinks the Poop Fairy taking care of the daily deposits!

[Beach Runner]

the Deputies usually scope out potential violators with their binoculars long before you ever see them coming.

Are you serious? BTW if you have the tag at your house nearby, do you think they'd ticket you if you could run get it? I haven't gotten around to attaching it to my dog's collar, but I always bring it to FL in my laptop case.

Yeah, the woman who doesn't clean up poop needs a lesson. I'll admit there have been a few times I haven't brought the pooper-scooper with me (the dog wasn't due to poop), she pooped anyhow, I went back to the house to get the scooper, and then got sidetracked and totally forgot. You know, absent-minded professor.

Sorry, neighbors.

[aquaticbiology]

I had the same problem when I lived down there! Weird. They were little poofy looking things. Anyway I put up a low, dark green, almost invisible "rabbit fence" from the Home Depot around the landscaping to keep the "neighborhood critters" from "eating the poisionous eucalyptus bushes" as I was 'terribly afraid it could hurt them" (wink! wink!)

I backed this up with a call to the pesky owner who denied all, but went wholeheartedly along with the dangerous bushes protection scheme, even paying for a portion of the fencing (five bucks or so)

once past the bylaws, a simple adjustment to the landscaping subsequently fixed the secondary access point and poof a poop-free yard

ain't greenscape wunnerful!

[Beach Runner]

Here's another link:

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/default.asp?ID=29

If the sheriff wanted to be an a$$, s/he could do enforce the following rule:
"All animals must wear a collar, which identifies the owner of said animal, the owner’s address, and phone number, tattoo, or a microchip. To ensure proper notice, all tattoos shall be registered with the animal control authority. An officer may pick up any animal that is not properly identified and place said animal in the animal control shelter."

Do they have high-thread-count sheets in the shelter? YIKES! Time to put Pepper's Walton County license tag and microchip tag on her collar.

BTW it's Pepper's 1st birthday today! She's celebrating by having her favorite French vanilla yogurt from Dawson's.

[Mermaid]

Believe me, she knows exactly what her dogs are doing. She doesn't have to pick up her dogs' poop, so she is either A)extremely rude and thoughtless, or B)delusional and thinks the Poop Fairy taking care of the daily deposits!

Or she could be an absent-minded professor.

[Smiling JOe]

Here's another link:

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/default.asp?ID=29

If the sheriff wanted to be an a$$, s/he could do enforce the following rule:
"All animals must wear a collar, which identifies the owner of said animal, the owner’s address, and phone number, tattoo, or a microchip. To ensure proper notice, all tattoos shall be registered with the animal control authority. An officer may pick up any animal that is not properly identified and place said animal in the animal control shelter."

Do they have high-thread-count sheets in the shelter? YIKES! Time to put Pepper's Walton County license tag and microchip tag on her collar.

BTW it's Pepper's 1st birthday today! She's celebrating by having her favorite French vanilla yogurt from Dawson's.

You have an external microchip to place on a collar? My dog's chip is under the skin, so from reading the rule you quote above, my dog does not have to wear his collar, except of course for the beach permit.

[Sheila]

You have an external microchip to place on a collar? My dog's chip is under the skin, so from reading the rule you quote above, my dog does not have to wear his collar, except of course for the beach permit.

My 2 have them under the skin as well. But, I also have a big yellow tag for their collars. I got these from the micro-chip mfg. when I sent in my registration forms.

[Beach Runner]

You have an external microchip to place on a collar? My dog's chip is under the skin, so from reading the rule you quote above, my dog does not have to wear his collar, except of course for the beach permit.

Her microchip is under her skin, but she has a tag that has her microchip ID number on it.

[audie]

Be aware that the State Park does not allow animals at all. Even a completely indoor animal in an RV---not allowed. They have had problems with pets (especially cats) that escaped. The owners would go home sans kittie, who then becomes feral. Dogs love the beach, but the reality is that unleashed animals and wildlife-protected areas are not a good mix. I wish the sheriff deputies were as good about patrolling our neighborhood areas other than the beach. A lady who lives across the lane from us allows her dogs to roam for their toilets and they have used the landscaped area next to our pool. That's really what I want to do on my rare trips to Grayton---admire the Gulf view before scooping up four months worth of her two dogs' poop. Any ideas about how this could be stopped?

we had this problem with a neighbor letting their smaller dog poop around our mailbox when they would walk the dog about 4:30 or so in the morning. i waited for them on the porch one day, caught them, and told them i would be bringing my dog over for her morning poo in about an hour, and she weighs probably 4 times what their dog does. imagine the mess. they hurriedly picked the poo up with tissues from their pocket, and we've had no more problems.

[Smiling JOe]

Her microchip is under her skin, but she has a tag that has her microchip ID number on it.

I am curious as to why some of you with chips place a tag on the color with the chip's ID. The benefit of the chip is that the ownership info stays with the dog when the collar comes off. If your dog's chip ID tag stays on the collar, shouldn't a regular name/ address tag stay on too? Is this a redundancy or is there something I am missing?

Just curious.

sj

[Sheila]

I am curious as to why some of you with chips place a tag on the color with the chip's ID. The benefit of the chip is that the ownership info stays with the dog when the collar comes off. If your dog's chip ID tag stays on the collar, shouldn't a regular name/ address tag stay on too? Is this a redundancy or is there something I am missing?

Just curious.

sj

I agree. I didn't know what the heck to do with them when I got them. So i filed them with my registration info.

[Miss Kitty]

Molly wears all her jewelry, all the time!

[jfrances]

My dog has a chip under the skin and also a collar chip tag with a phone number to call. If an agency finds your dog, the chip tag is another way to identify the dog by calling the chip phone number. More info may be registered with the chip agency about the dog than an ID tag.

[Sheila]

Molly wears all her jewelry, all the time!

The micro chip tag was bigger than Bailey's head! I was afraid if I put her's on she wouldn't be able to stand up and walk around!

[Miss Kitty]

The micro chip tag was bigger than Bailey's head! I was afraid if I put her's on she wouldn't be able to stand up and walk around!

Oh...I didn't put that on her!....It is HUGE! Bailey would be dusting the floor with her chin! Molly kept trying to bite it and I removed it.

[Beach Runner]

I am curious as to why some of you with chips place a tag on the color with the chip's ID. The benefit of the chip is that the ownership info stays with the dog when the collar comes off. If your dog's chip ID tag stays on the collar, shouldn't a regular name/ address tag stay on too? Is this a redundancy or is there something I am missing?

Just curious.

sj

It's irrelevant for us. I didn't bring pliers to put the tags on with, so she's tagless. :oops: All she wears is her pink collar with palm trees on it. She doesn't need a name and address tag because we signed a contract with the breeder saying that she always has to either be on a leash or be in a fenced-in area (or obviously in the house).

Contractually we have to pet her 25 times a day, kiss her when she goes nitey-nite, and ... just kidding.

[Mermaid]

Molly wears all her jewelry, all the time!

My friend Leigh has three llasa apso dogs and I could definitely say the same about them. The color of the collars change with the seasons--let's see, there's plaid for Christmas, pastels at Eastertime, pumpkin orange for the fall--even their ID tags are color-coordinated! They are the most glamorous dogs in the Midwest.

[Donna]

Butter came to us with an implanted chip that has all the contact numbers, including the breeder's, in the event they can't get in touch with us for some reason. The only thing about the implanted chip is that one has to scan the dog to find it. You have no idea the chip is there, for all practical purposes. Not every household has a pet scanner on hand. Butter's even has his DNA in there, although I don't know why that is necessary or even relevant. Guess if he commits a murder, it would be helpful to the prosecution. Then upon reflection...maybe not.

[Allifunn]

I wish the sheriff deputies were as good about patrolling our neighborhood areas other than the beach. A lady who lives across the lane from us allows her dogs to roam for their toilets and they have used the landscaped area next to our pool. That's really what I want to do on my rare trips to Grayton---admire the Gulf view before scooping up four months worth of her two dogs' poop. Any ideas about how this could be stopped?

this is just too unbelieveable for words!!! No bad dogs...just very bad owners!!! How RUDE that woman is!! Is there not animal control in the area?...I agree..you should dump (no pun intended ) the poop right back in her front porch!!!!

[Miss Kitty]

Butter came to us with an implanted chip that has all the contact numbers, including the breeder's, in the event they can't get in touch with us for some reason. The only thing about the implanted chip is that one has to scan the dog to find it. You have no idea the chip is there, for all practical purposes. Not every household has a pet scanner on hand. Butter's even has his DNA in there, although I don't know why that is necessary or even relevant. Guess if he commits a murder, it would be helpful to the prosecution. Then upon reflection...maybe not.

That DNA has me laughing!!!

Dont you think the chip is mostly for dogs taken to vets and shelters? One dog I rescued that had been hit by a car luckily had a chip and the vet (which was the closest one) was even his own vet!! I can't imagine anyone having a pet scanner at home!!!

[Mermaid]

That DNA has me laughing!!!

Dont you think the chip is mostly for dogs taken to vets and shelters? One dog I rescued that had been hit by a car luckily had a chip and the vet (which was the closest one) was even his own vet!! I can't imagine anyone having a pet scanner at home!!!

I betcha Tom Cruise has one. Wait, no, that was an ultrasound machine...

[ShallowsNole]

I'd wouldn't make any bets on local shelters having chip readers. I HOPE they do, and I'm not sure if the facility in Chipley does, but I know that the 'old' Walton County shelter didn't.

[Jdarg]

I'd wouldn't make any bets on local shelters having chip readers. I HOPE they do, and I'm not sure if the facility in Chipley does, but I know that the 'old' Walton County shelter didn't.

The Louisville shelters do have the scanners. It seems it would be a money saver to have one and find owners of chipped dogs rather than paying to house, feed, medicate, etc. That would be a nice piece of equipment for someone to donate to a shelter.

[Smiling JOe]

I'd wouldn't make any bets on local shelters having chip readers. I HOPE they do, and I'm not sure if the facility in Chipley does, but I know that the 'old' Walton County shelter didn't.

The Shelter in Ft Walton Beach where we picked up a little critter has one.

[ShallowsNole]

Yeah, SJ, but that's in Okaloosa County. I don't know how to say this without stereotyping people, so I will use my own relatives to get the point across...

Dexter is currently our senior pet, a 18-lb grey tabby cat. When I came home from having Dexter neutered and explained to my husband that a microchip had been implanted under his (Dexter's) skin between his shoulder blades, my husband's reaction was He then CALLED all of his cousins in the north end of Walton County to tell them "You aren't going to believe this...my wife had the cat programmed! Dexter has a microchip implanted in him! Hope the remote control doesn't make him do goofy stuff!" They all thought it was hysterical.

That was six years ago. Both cats and our Lab have microchips, and the two 7-wk old baby tiny puppies that joined our family last weekend will eventually be microchipped. My wonderful redneck spouse is now accustomed to the idea. But I can only hope the rest of my beloved Walton County is!

[Smiling JOe]

Yeah, SJ, but that's in Okaloosa County....

I know, I know, we don't have a shelter in Walton County. That is why I mentioned the next closest.