Should Dogs be Allowed on Tybee Beach?
Alternative content
DOGS ON TYBEE ISLAND
SHOULD DOGS BE ALLOWED ON TYBEE ISLAND. CURRENTLY THEY ARE NOT BUT ONE MAN IS LOOKING TO CHANGE THAT.Should dogs be allowed on Tybee Island’s Beaches?
Right now bringing man’s best friend on the beach carries a minimum two hundred dollar fine.
So why doesn’t Tybee allow dogs on their sandy shores?
News Three’s Community Reporter Alice Massimi spoke with one man who is hoping to paw prints will soon grace the shores.
Bill Gillespie likes to take his dog Jasmine to the beach. Well not really, this is as far as Jasmine can go. Tybee Island’s Beaches do not allow dogs…
“Living on Tybee I am tired of taking her to Hilton Head or Amelia Island,” comments Gillespie.
So he’s pushing for change.
A move he thinks would woo locals back to the beach and bring help tourism.
“I have lived up and down the East Coast and it works from Maine to Miami so I think the time is right. I think we are the only island that hasn’t figured it out and I think there are some great options out there,” says Gillespie.
But Tybee Mayor Jason Buelterman isn’t sold on the idea.
“Ultimately when the DNR or other state officials tell us that one of the reasons Tybee has such a good history of beach water quality is because we don’t allow dogs on the beach, that makes it tough,” says Buelterman.
The issue isn’t closed though… Buelterman says the city is doing a study on the beach’s water quality.
“I think it is critical you find out, does dog waste lead to bacteria problems in the water?” questions Buelterman.
Gillespie on the other hand thinks the link between water quality and dog waste is not issue.
“I think that is a false issue. Out of all the research I have done and the beaches I have been to that is not a real issue, it’s exaggerated,” says Gillespie.
Water quality aside Gillespie is proposing a trial period… leashes only and there would set areas and times when paws were permitted.
Mayor Buelterman says the water quality study is expected to take about 6 months.
In the meantime anyone who lives on Tybee and would like to see dogs allowed on the beach can bring their concerns to the city council.
Reader Reactions
Im not a dog owner or a dog lover but for families that do have k-9’s there a part of the family so I understand both sides. There should be a desinated area for dogs and their owners where they can enjoy the beach together. Im pretty sure the salt in the water will clear up any dog accidents that a responsiable owner might miss and really if thats your concern there are so many health hazards that are far greater! My only concern is pets coming in to close of contact with people that are allergic or even terrified of dogs. So Im for both sides since most owners that do bring their dogs on outings tend to be more responsiable and Im sure would be sensative to those who are not dog owners or lovers like myself.
jsnow, you are okay with swimming in the feces and urine from the fish and birds, but dog poo is the cause of your anguish? There’s also the human feces and urine that you are swimming in due to some peoples disgusting habits and laziness. If you want to enjoy bacteria free water, I suggest a nice chlorinated swimming pool. Dogs are not the problem.
Please Please Please no dogs on the beach! I too am worried for my health and the beach’s, also dogs can and do bite. I have been mauled by a German Shepard dog and I find it very unfair that I would have to worry about this while relaxing on and at the beach. It would no longer be relaxing for us. People are already breaking the rules by bringing their dogs top the beach now. I find this daily as I walk there getting my exercise. Please do not start bringing 4 legged pooping and biting machines to the beach its really NOT needed. Bill Gillespie please find a different cause to go after and not this one. I have too much to worry about now. Thank you
Ever thought of, maybe people could pick up their dog’s poop??? it shouldn’t be an issue of worrying about the water quality if folks pick up after their pets. Atlantic beach in N.C. allowed dogs on the beach, you were just required to pick up after your pet, which most ppl do anyways.
Please Tybee, do not allow dogs near your beaches! Let me tell you, I remember getting staph infections from visiting hilton head and huntington island and YES, its because of the CRAP that goes into the water! It took 7 bleach baths to clear up those nasty infections and since I don’t go to SC anymore period, I don’t have the problem! Please, keep one beach sanitary for those of us who don’t like to swim in poop. Keep Georgia Clean. If he doesn’t like it, then he and the rest of the nasties can move to SC where ANYTHING IS ALLOWED!
Advertisement