VILLAS – Lower Township Council announced that dogs, other than service animals, are restricted from township beaches during the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning the Friday prior to Memorial Day and continuing until the Monday of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
According to a release, leashed animals are permitted any time of day during the off-season. The ordinance not only protects residents who would like to have beach hours without dog distractions, but it protects pets on the beach during the heat of the day.
It is unlawful for pet owners to allow dogs to run loose or leave their animal’s waste on the beach. Shore Animal Control officers will be patrolling the beaches in Lower Township and North Cape May and will be issuing summons to pet owners in violation of this ordinance, dogs off leash, and for owners who do not clean up after their pets. Shore Animal Control can be reached at 1-800-351-1822.
Beach etiquette for dog owners includes:
– Always keep your dog leashed when there is a leash law. There is a maximum of 6-feet lead on any leash, so free rein leashes must be controlled.
– Always clean up after your dog by using a bag or scooper and disposing in the proper trash cans. If trash cans are not available, you are responsible for carrying the waste off the beach to your own trash bins.
– Do not let your dog visit with other beach-goers or dogs, unless welcomed and invited.
