Dog Beaches on the Gulf Coast?

[latetotheparty]

it is only common courtesy to pick up after one's dog.... and those who DON'T make life a LOT harder for those of us who DO.....

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by gguerra

When you are talking about pedestrian only beaches at least in the South Padre Island area then yes I agree and that sounds fine in an ideal world.. BUT if you are talking about public beaches that allow vehicles ( not maintained) there is sometimes a lot of trash that washes up on shore from ships. Not to mention trash that may be left behind by visitors. I dont think a little dog poop will matter much especially since it is bio-degradable and the beach covers vast areas (30 miles or more).

I think it matters a great deal. When I go for a barefoot walk on the beach, dog poop is not what I want to feel between my toes. I have no desire to step in dog poop or end up getting diseases from it because dog owners are to lazy to clean up after their dogs. That is why dogs are not allowed in so many public places... lazy and irresponsible owners.

[kixette]

Originally Posted by Caroleg

I'm traveling to Texas in late March for a dog event and would like to go down to the gulf coast with my dogs afterwards. I've been looking for dog friendly beaches to take my puppers, but it seems that they all require a 6 foot leash.

Anybody know of any "dog beaches" where leashes are optional? You know, someplace that is designated for dogs. My dogs sure would appreciate the relief from the heat.

What part of Texas? Houston? Are you going to be near Galveston, or Freeport, or Corpus christi? We have miles of beaches!

I live at surfside, and sorry, leashes aren't optional - especially this time of year. During the winter we usually can get away with letting the pups run loose, but not in high season, which starts in Texas in March.

But if you are close to Houston and go to either Galveston OR Surfside, there is a road called "Bluewater highway" that goes FROM Galveston TO Surfside, and a lot of the beach that runs by the road never has people on it. Just don't get to close to the water at San Luis Pass (dangerous currents for doggies), go further towards Surfside, since you can drive on the beach find a place away from people, and just watch out for the Sherrifs department (you'll be able to see them coming and put the dogs on a leash, the cops won't harrass you if they see you respecting them).

[gguerra]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

I think it matters a great deal. When I go for a barefoot walk on the beach, dog poop is not what I want to feel between my toes. I have no desire to step in dog poop or end up getting diseases from it because dog owners are to lazy to clean up after their dogs. That is why dogs are not allowed in so many public places... lazy and irresponsible owners.

I can only speak about South Padre because that is what I am familiar with. I imagine other area beaches are similar. Do you not look where you walk?? If there was a dead fish, jellyfish, stingray etc. laying on the beach would you step on it without even looking? If there was broken bottle glass, a messed up diaper or some other trash on the beach would you step in it?? I do agree people should pick up after their dog but also think some people make it WAY to BIG of deal. The beaches are vast. On South Padre Island once yo go north of the hotel area (pedestrian only), the beaches are not so clean. They also cover very large areas and to keep the entire area spotless would be next to impossible. The areas closest to the water itself are usually clean because of the ocean keeping them that way. But as you go away from the shoreline you will find a lot of litter on the beach. And as I stated in my previous post it is not all from the visitors. The majority of it is discarded from ships. And dog's ARE allowed on ALL of the beaches. The leash is required to keep both the DOG and the public safe. In areas where cars are allowed a dog can easily be run over if left off of a leash.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by gguerra

I can only speak about South Padre because that is what I am familiar with. I imagine other area beaches are similar. Do you not look where you walk?? If there was a dead fish, jellyfish, stingray etc. laying on the beach would you step on it without even looking? If there was broken bottle glass, a messed up diaper or some other trash on the beach would you step in it?? I do agree people should pick up after their dog but also think some people make it WAY to BIG of deal. The beaches are vast. On South Padre Island once yo go north of the hotel area (pedestrian only), the beaches are not so clean. They also cover very large areas and to keep the entire area spotless would be next to impossible. The areas closest to the water itself are usually clean because of the ocean keeping them that way. But as you go away from the shoreline you will find a lot of litter on the beach. And as I stated in my previous post it is not all from the visitors. The majority of it is discarded from ships. And dog's ARE allowed on ALL of the beaches. The leash is required to keep both the DOG and the public safe. In areas where cars are allowed a dog can easily be run over if left off of a leash.

So just because there is some trash on the beach, it's OK to spread more trash and dog crap? Dog crap spreads disease, worms and ecoli, all of which are hazardous to humans. When the rain causes your dog crap to soak into the beach, it can't be seen, but the disease, worms and ecoli is still there waiting for someone to step into it. It also washes into the gulf where people are swimming. If you and other's like you continue with these practices it will result in dogs not being allowed on the beaches. It is already happening at swimming holes all over Texas. It has happened at beaches on both the East and West coasts, its only a matter of time if irresponsible pet owners continue with this kind of behavior here.

[gguerra]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

So just because there is some trash on the beach, it's OK to spread more trash and dog crap? Dog crap spreads disease, worms and ecoli, all of which are hazardous to humans. When the rain causes your dog crap to soak into the beach, it can't be seen, but the disease, worms and ecoli is still there waiting for someone to step into it. It also washes into the gulf where people are swimming. If you and other's like you continue with these practices it will result in dogs not being allowed on the beaches. It is already happening at swimming holes all over Texas. It has happened at beaches on both the East and West coasts, its only a matter of time if irresponsible pet owners continue with this kind of behavior here.

Yeah, Yeah, Blah, Blah.. The ocean is sterile, not a single pollutant in it.. I have a dog but I don't take it to the beach. Don't make assumptions.. You want to concentrate on a little dog poop and the fact that is going to ruin the oceans forever, you go ahead.. Look at the big picture. and I will not go into the details (there are many).. I will only begin to describe it with two letters....BP

P.S. Oh and I forgot to mention

Ocean Water Pollution by Cruise Liners
Only about 20 percent of ocean pollution is caused by ocean based activities. Even from this 20 percent, the major contribution comes from cruise ships. Statistics reveal that an average sized cruise ship produces around a million gallons of waste water in a week. (The incidents of oil spills are lesser compared to incidents of garbage dumping by cruises, and hence cruises are regarded as the most polluting factors, but one major oil spill can lead to tonnes of oil being dumped in the water body amassing to much more pollution than what a single cruise ship can possibly do.)

And more

Ocean Pollution

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by texan55

who cleans up after the coyotes?

Coyotes don't leave tight coils of undigested corn meal, however. It's usually a compact pellet of bones and fur that dessicates and scatters in short order whereas a nice purina dog turd is quite persistent in the environment.

I've frequently had my dog on the beach off leash, but always with his e-collar. I've never had an issue with law enforcement even though I'm not strictly adhering to ordinance.