September 12, 2016
Now that summer has just about ended and schools have reopened, attention can now be turned to next year, and one Jersey Shore town official wants to allow dogs access to the beach.
Ocean City, New Jersey, Councilman Keith Hartzell is looking to push his proposal to make the popular vacation spot more inviting to dog owners, according to OCNJ Daily.
Hartzell suggested a plan to permit dogs on the beach between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. during the summer but said he is open to all-day access at designated areas.
Under current law, the city prohibits dogs on the beach between May 1 and Sept. 30.
To provide waste bags, dispensers and signage, Hartzell recommended a beach tag for dogs that would cost $10.
Due to the ban, dog owners have used the nearby Malibu Beach to let their pets play in the sand.
However, the area located between Ocean City, Longport and Somers Point, known as "Dog Beach," became a mess after local officials failed to provide trash cans for dog poop in July.
Ocean City, which was named America's best beach this year, had issues with another set of creatures this summer.
The mayor, Jay Gillian, wrote a letter in July warning that the town would be cracking down on visitors caught feeding seagulls.
Hartzell's plan is still in its early stages, but he hopes city officials will have an ordinance in place in time for summer 2017, according to the report.
