East Hampton Village Passes Restriction for Dogs on the Beach

Come July 1, Fido must be on a leash within 300 feet of an East Hampton Village beach entrance.

At its regular meeting on Friday, the village board approved an amendment to the code that requires dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash from the second Sunday in May to September 30 of each year. During that same time frame, an already existing law prohibits dogs, and other animals, on the beach between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"We believe our action strikes a legitimate balance between the safety and interests of beach-goers and dog owners alike who want to enjoy the same beautiful amenities our beach fronts offer," Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. said.

The board scaled back its original proposal to require dogs be leashed within 500 feet of the beach entrances. Also taken out of the approved law was a proposal that the leash be no longer than six feet.

At a public hearing on April 19, many spoke out against elements of the proposed restriction, such as the length away from the beach entrance.

The board made the proposal after officials said they received complaints about dog waste left behind on the beach and unruly dogs disturbing picnickers and such.

Ambiguous language in the initial proposal made it seem as if the amendment was intended year-round, when the board said it only intended the restriction from the second Sunday in May to Sept. 30. The hearing was closed on April 19, and the board took no action on the proposal when it came up for a vote.

Linda Riley, the village board attorney, reworded the law, and also scaled it back to make it less restrictive, at the board's request.

Rickenbach said the board was grateful for the "thoughtful debate" from the public hearing.

Enforcement of the law won't begin until July 1, the mayor said. Until then, village officials will work to educate dog owners about the new law, he said. "Marker delineation will be put in place to assist in setting forth the defined designated boundaries," he said.

Chief Jerry Larsen said after the meeting that the village is still discussing how to define the boundaries so that it is clear when dog owners have reached 300 feet and allow their dogs to roam. He said there will be signs installed at the foot of the beaches.