I love living in Los Angeles – the sun, outdoor activities and progressive thinking (most of the time). When it comes to dog legislation, the thinking is not always up to speed. I grew up on the East Coast, where dogs were allowed everywhere, including the beaches. My dad taught me to be a responsible and courteous pet owner, so it was never a question of picking up after my dog. Who knew that would be one of the main bones of contention with creating a dog-friendly beach?
There are several dog beaches up and down the coast of California, except for our neck of the woods. Los Angeles is the only major coastal area in California, a 75-mile stretch to be exact, that has virtually no access to a dog beach (the exception is a small spot on the southern tip in Long Beach.) That’s (hopefully) going to change soon.
Unleash the Beach and Dog Beach Now are both grass-roots community organizations working hard to establish an off-leash beach for dogs and their guardians to enjoy together. There have been proposals for Playa del Rey, Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades. Each time, the plan has been met with such resistance that it seems to be an impossible feat. It seems crazy to me. Why all the fuss?
Unleash the Beach says, “There are more than 5,000 dog owners who choose to live near the ocean. In the belief that our dogs help us to be a community, to interact as friends and neighbors, our mission is to establish an off-leash dog zone on the beach where we can recreate and socialize together with our dogs.”
“Some of our neighbors have expressed concerns, including questions about the impact on water quality, and since we’re environmentalists, too, we’re very serious about addressing that. But the fact is studies of other dog-designated beaches elsewhere in California have shown that there are no adverse environmental impacts.”
Arguments given against dog beaches can be refuted with a state research project, published by the California State Research Bureau in 2006. It shows that more than 60 other dog beaches in California do not have the problems that are always brought up as major concerns in Los Angeles.
“Neighboring cities, Long Beach and Huntington Beach already have highly successful, well-attended dog beach areas frequented every day of the year by responsible guardians and their ecstatic canine friends,” say representatives of Unleash the Beach. “San Diego is noted for having four outstanding dog-designated areas, including an impressive expanse in Ocean Beach. San Francisco has no less than 13 such areas. Santa Barbara also has a wonderful stretch of beach where dogs can play.”
The Santa Monica City Council is stepping up to the plate and listening to these advocates. They are willing to create an off-leash pilot program. The city has agreed to monitor it closely and pay any associated expenses.
Unfortunately, the State Parks and Recreation Department has so far refused to even consider allowing the public to open the beach for this use even at limited times, days, seasons or along unused areas of the beach.
“This is a matter of tweaking a regulation in the [department], which gives the department total say so about beach use, regardless of public and city demand,” says Unleash the Beach. “Dog guardians are at least 44% of households. There are more dogs than children. We are the public and taxpayers, and we have a right to a share of public resources.”
These tenacious advocates have started a petition for the people to sign, and they welcome any questions or concerns the public may have. All information, including the California Research Bureau Report is downloadable and can be found on unleashthebeach.org.
I’d love a dog beach close by, where my dog Gabby can romp and play. As far as I’ve seen, aside from the summer months, the beaches are empty 80% of the time. Who are we saving them for?
Lori Fusaro has been voted the best portrait photographer by FoxTV three years in a row and is a proud member of PPA and HeARTspeak. She lives in Culver City with her husband, four cats and dog. Contact: Lori@FusaroPhotography.com, FusaroPhotography.com. Follow her on Twitter: @FusaroPhoto.