Sharon Health Board Now Considering Revised Beach Dog Ban

Citing health concerns about dog droppings in the sand during beach season, the Sharon Board of Health may implement an April 15 to Oct. 15 ban on animals, except for service animals, at Sharon's Veteran's Memorial Park and Beach.

The board expects to vote on this at its meeting next Monday, at 7:30 p.m. at the Sharon Town Offices.

The calendar limit in this potential health board regulation discussed Tuesday night is the biggest change from . The ban also would not apply to the boat landings.

Schwab's proposed regulation would ban dogs, horses and pets, except service animals "from the public bathing beaches and bathing water, and landings in the Town of Sharon 24 hours per day," and including the parking and access areas, starting "immediately upon publication."

Schwab and other health board members said Tuesday night that it's unhealthy for people to be exposed to dog droppings while walking in the sand at the beach, where kids play.

"If it's a legitimate public health concern, then that's what we should be addressing, and the town would be accepting," said Chairman Suzi Peck, who suggested the calendar parameters.

Peck suggested running the ban from Patriots Day to Columbus Day.

"I think that addresses the very real public health concern that you are raising," Peck told Schwab.

Member Andrew Stead suggested waiting until next week to vote because the board had changed Schwab's proposal Tuesday night. And other town boards that affect the lake and beach may have comments on the proposal, said Stead, who called it "a good proposal."

Schwab said Brewster has a dog ban similar to his proposal.

Schwab said a Sharon Patch story about his proposal prompted some people to e-mail him and suggest that he hates dogs.

"I am a lover of dogs. I am an individual who pets them and plays with them," he said.

"It comes down to strictly a health issue," Schwab said. People "play and bathe and walk" at the beach, and "the presence of dog feces is unacceptable," he said.

Earlier this month, by a voice vote, rejected a lake management study committee proposal to allow only service dogs, and dogs with a permit issued by selectmen, at the site. Police would fine violators $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and $100 for the third and subsequent offenses. Service dogs and dogs receiving a permit from the board of selectmen would be allowed.

The town meeting vote maintains the policy that selectmen adopted on Aug. 17, 2010 for the Beach Street site: dogs are prohibited from the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day while the beach is staffed, or open for a public event, the policy states. Dogs are restricted to the path, and leashed, at all other times, the policy states.

However, some health board members say this policy is confusing.

Member Stanley Rosen said he would expect an outreach campaign to educate the public to occur if the new regulation is adopted.