Township Doesn’t Want Beach to Go to the Dogs

NORTH CAPE MAY — It’s a distinction Lower Township may not want: having one of the best beaches to walk a dog.
At a Township Council meeting Monday, Shore Road resident Bill Connors said Philadelphia Magazine, in its June issue, listed the Lincoln Boulevard Beach, near the entrance to Douglass Memorial Park, as a best bet for dogs. He said the story lists two other locations in New Jersey that are good spots to walk a dog: a sandbar in Ocean City and Stone Harbor before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
“At least Stone Harbor has specified hours for dog walking,” said Connors. “I don’t think this is a distinction Lower Township really wants.”
He said as a long-time resident and taxpayer, he had the right to use the beach without watching dogs, owned by local residents and visitors, “do their business” on their beach. Connors said dogs were running wild and owners were not cleaning up after their pets.
“So-called dog lovers could care less about our feelings or health concerns and they totally disregard the law and run wild on the beach,” he said. “If you say anything to these people, you risk an argument or a confrontation with them.”
Connors asked council to enforce laws or pass an ordinance that does not allow dogs to be on the beach during summer months. He said police should not have to respond to dog issues on the beach.
Dogs should be kept on a leash on the beach and signs should be posted at beach entranceways, said Connors.
He said he saw no enforcement of dog regulations on the beach. Connors said he liked dogs was much as anyone but did not like what he was seeing on the beach.
Mayor Michael Beck said the township has placed doggy clean-up bags at beach entrances.
Councilman Wayne Mazurek said the township may need to limit hours or locations where dogs are allowed on the beach.
“We are known as dog beach now,” said Connors, noting people come from Cape May and Stone Harbor to walk their dogs.
Resident Bill Greenfield said there were plenty of responsible dog owners and the canines should not be outlawed from the beach. Beck said it would be specific areas and not all beaches would be off limits to dogs.
“If it’s going to become a magnet, a draw specifically for that purpose, we’ll have to do something about it,” said Beck.
He said the township could not post someone at the beach “24-7.”
“The beach isn’t for dogs, the beach is for the public,” said a resident.
Beck said it could be for both if dog owners acted responsibly.