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SlowMovin

Beach Fanatic
Jul 9, 2005
485
42
I don't know which is funnier-that someone took a picture of poop or that the paper printed it!

I used to work for a newspaper. They'll pretty much print anything. In fact, compared to some things you might read....

....never mind.
 
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Jdarg

SoWal Expert
Feb 15, 2005
18,068
1,973
We have had loose sandy, wet dogs jump in our laps, jump up and grab food off tables or the back of our truck, pee on our tableclothed table and beach chairs (that I guess was hanging too low- wasn't planning on some ahole letting their dog pee on our table- next time I will plan better:roll:), and poop in the midst of our chair setups. My mother is older and her skin is like tissue paper- one bump and it's a bloody mess, so she lives in fear of dogs jumping on her- I am constantly looking around when she is with us. We should be able to go to the beach without soneone "sharing"their dog with us. So yes, I am not a fan of dogs on the beach. My experience has been lousy. My dogs don't go to the beach and they are perfectly happy. This is about the owners, not the dogs.

My favorites are the people who bring their tiny dogs out in the heat of the day, and the soft sand and ruts are such hard work for them. Mean and selfish owners- all about them. Those poor little dogs would rather be in the AC, not roasting in 90 degree heat at noon because their owners thought it would be so cute to see them in the sand!
 

tsutcli

Beach Fanatic
Jan 14, 2008
921
109
Seacrest
Perfectly said Jdarg. I hear we are having two people patrol the beach now with the new ordinance but when you live here year round there is a problem in the winter as well. No one said the dogs of tourists were the only problem but certainly the number of dogs increases during "in" season. I was looking at our beach from our walkover just the other day and spotted three loose dogs just as I was standing there and I always walk in fear when a strange dog that I do not know runs toward me. I have also had three dangerous encounters with very aggressive dogs too off the leash!!! I know of two neighbors of mine that are the worst offenders! I live in Seacrest and in the 13 years I have been walking our beach year round at all times I have NEVER seen anyone give out a ticket or even a warning. I can only speak for my section of beach and I see the beach patrol drive by only. One more person on the beach patrolling will not even make a dent in the problem and because the county has never been consistent with enforcement, they have to start all over from scratch each year when the tourists that return could have learned what is expected of their behavior. I've lived here long enough not to expect any positive change this spring even with the new beach ordinance or the increased patrol. It will be the same old chaos and as soon as the patrol car moves on, the locals come out with their dogs because they know the drill. I just expect people to do the right thing but that is an insane idea in today's world!
 

Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,639
9,455
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
Yes, I know people are annoyed by unruly dogs/irresponsible dog owners on the beach and who can blame them? Fortunately, I've never had a bad dog experience on the beach after 18 years living here (and many more years visiting here) - guess I'm lucky! I almost always see a dog or two on the beach but I've never seen dogs out of control - though it could happen I suppose.

To the poop photographer and other disgruntled beachgoers - maybe next time you can relax a little, be in the moment, and take a nice photo of the surf and think of how great it is to be out enjoying the world's most beautiful beaches. Maybe pick up some trash left out there by your fellow humans. Just breathe. It's s great place to be. A gentle reminder of the pet rules may be helpful to visitors.
 
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tsutcli

Beach Fanatic
Jan 14, 2008
921
109
Seacrest
If the poop photographer was relaxed and in the moment and taking a nice photo of the surf she would then be looking for some place and also something to get the poop off her feet!!! Not a nice thing when it gets between your toes.
 
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Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,639
9,455
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
Human TRASH on the beach is much more abundant than dog poop and far more harmful to everyone... I hope everyone will take time to keep the beaches beautiful and clean, including picking up after your dogs.

Everyone is different though. For example, loud blaring music on the beach offends me more than any dog. But I was on the beach in the years when dogs were allowed and there weren't so many people on the beach. I agree we must have rules at this point with more people and more dogs around. The dogs are GREAT but for some reason some of the people who show up here aren't concerned about rules or common courtesy. But we can give gentle reminders and tips to visitors who are new to the area and not informed.
 
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Groovegirls

Beach Fanatic
Oct 13, 2008
524
107
Poop on the beach stinks, (pun intended) but so does trash, beach toys, baby diapers, unruly kids and even some of the adult humans. We could create a million new ordinances and punish everybody. Start with no dogs, then no babies or kids, then no tall people cause they block the view of others and on an on and on. Or we could deal with the actual specific problems and let everyone else enjoy the beach. I too have lived here long enough to remember a far less crowded beach. I used to take my dogs to the beach and unleash them all the time. I would just take them down the beach a little ways, where they wouldn't bother anyone. My dogs and I had a great time, no one was bothered and nothing offensive was left behind by man or beast. Do people like me deserve to have their rights taken away because someone else was in the wrong? It feels like kindergarten to me. Little Jonny (or Janey) did something wrong and now the whole class has to suffer. I absolutly agree that we need rules but there is such a thing as going too far. We should all be responsible for ourselves and deal with those that are not as individuals. I see a troubling trend in our neighborhood. One ordinance at a time we are taking away our rights to live free in our own hometown. Safety is important, tourists are imortant but so is our right to enjoy life. The neighbors dogs sometimes poop in my yard and I sometimes step in it. I can assure you that this does not make me exclaim "Life is great!" Should I try to ban dogs in my neighborhood? I think a little chat with the neighbor is far more prudent. Also I could just deal with it. It's just poop. A nice little rain will wash it away and then the sun will come out again and my life will be no better or worse for it. Life is full of poop and sometimes you are gonna step in it and that is just the way it is.
 
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