Our dogs need water!!!!!!! (Tampa, Ocala: live, mall, beach)

[docbest74]

Anybody know of any dog friendly lakes in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel/Land o Lakes area??

We have a couple of labs that love the water and we do the dog beach thing on a regular basis but we were looking for something a little closer to just run out and do on a whim.

I remember when I lived up in Marion County there were tons of lakes with small beaches that were dog friendly and it was a nice alternative to the salt water!

[phonelady61]

well I would not let my dogs in any fresh water lake due to alligators being in most every fresh water lake in florida . I think you need to rethink letting dogs in any lake . an alternative if you have a yard is fill up a kiddie pool and let them cool off in the kiddie pool .

[annaegel]

Originally Posted by phonelady61

well I would not let my dogs in any fresh water lake due to alligators being in most every fresh water lake in florida . I think you need to rethink letting dogs in any lake . an alternative if you have a yard is fill up a kiddie pool and let them cool off in the kiddie pool .

I agree! It would be foolish to allow them to swim in any pond or lake. My neighbor has a large pond in her back yard. Her dogs love the water and they sometimes escape and run into the water. She quickly "retrieves" them out.

You will find alligators in the smallest of ponds. You would not want to risk it. You could check out www.floridapets.net. It lists different dog friendly areas you can bring your dog like beaches, dog parks, etc.

[docbest74]

Ok guys,

I grew up in Ocala on the lakes with dogs as did my parents and my parent's parents, etc. I have spent my life on the lakes and rivers of North Central Florida so I do appreciate your opinion but I also know that if you are careful of the area you choose alligators are not an issue. Areas the are highly populated and have little vegatation are not a high risk. I, personal, have never lost a dog to a gator. Nor anybody I know, or know of, growing up on lake weir has ever lost a dog to a gator.

I have had more dogs bit by snakes and consider a rattlesnake a much higher risk and that can be found in my backyard.

[Keeper]

Well, all I can tell you is there was a man letting his lab swim in the lake retention pond in front of International Mall and his dog was grabbed by a gator in the middle of the day.

Lopez Park.. a lady walking her dog along the trail had her dog grabbed by a gator.

These are both well populated areas with a lot of activity.

I lived in Odessa on a 30 acre lake, a GS was grabbed by a gator. The gator was removed and for a while there was no gator, but eventually one found his way back into the lake.

[bentlebee]

I just wanted to mention that...^^^^....

The lakes are dog friendly but the gators around here think they are a nice meal...so better go to Paw beach in St. Pete, which is very dog friendly and no gators and no sharks ....not as far as I know and never heard off

[TampaKaren]

The closest dog beach to you is going to be Honeymoon Island, but I guess you already know that. How about a plastic kiddy pool?

[The716]

There's always dog beach on Davis Island, right by the airport...