The dog beach pilot program in Saugeen Shores will become standard practice next year.
This week, council approved a recommendation the Town continue to allow dogs on certain sections of the beaches in Southampton and Port Elgin during certain times of the day.
In July the town expanded waterfront access to dogs in north of the flagpole in Southampton to the Saugeen River and also in Port Elgin between Izzard Road and Bruce Road 25.
There will be a change to the pilot in Southampton on the north beach. It will not allow dogs 24/7 like it did during the pilot, but will instead match the hours used in Port Elgin. The plan is to have both beaches allow dogs before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Those who offered criticisms of the pilot program has issues with a perceived lack of enforcement on the beaches, dogs being off leash, owners did not cleaning up after dogs and other environmental concerns like disturbing other wildlife. There were also complaints that dog owners weren’t following the time of day rules.
Meanwhile, positive feedback comments said most responsible dog owners did follow, and shared the sentiment that there would always be a few who didn’t comply. They also said the expanded areas allowed people and their pets to enjoy the water. Those in favour offered the opinion that designated areas provided a balance of waterfront space for dog friendly and dog free areas.
The Town has one bylaw officer, and police are expected to pick up the rest of the enforcement and education when it comes to beaches.
Town staff also noted Saugeen Shores Police conducted 75 beach patrols, looking for animal control bylaw violations, liquor license control act violations and and park/beach bylaw violations.
