New Signage Sparks Confusion Over Dogs On LI Beach

JAMESPORT, NY — A new sign regarding dogs on Iron Pier Beach in Jameport sparked some controversy recently.

According to resident Michelle Madhok, a new sign was placed on the guard shack stating that no dogs were allowed on the beach. She was also recently stopped by a man in the parking lot who told her dogs were no longer allowed anywhere on the property.

Madhok spoke out on social media about her concerns. She told Patch that she understood dogs were not allowed on the bathing beach when a lifeguard was on duty but they had always been allowed on the sidewalk, in the parking lot and at the non-bathing beach to the east.

“For 12 years I’ve been walking my dog at Iron Pier in all seasons, as do many dog owners. We come in the mornings and evenings," she said.

Madhok said the dogs were not agressive and there was very rarely dog waste, with conscientious owners cleaning up. She said she sees much more litter left behind by beach-goers, including bottles, food wrappers and broken toys.

"Essentially, this ordinance — completely banning dogs from the premises at all times — is an overly harsh regulation searching for a problem that does not exist," she said, questioning whether a public hearing had ever been held to address the issue.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said she recently organized beach committees, a plan that's been working well; Riverhead Town Councilman Tim Hubbard heads up the effort. Each beach has two community representatives who report to Hubbard and the town board.

Both Aguiar and Hubbard said no rules have changed: No dogs are allowed on public, or bathing, beaches, in Riverhead Town, but they are allowed on the sidewalks, parking lots, and at the non-bathing beach to the east of Iron Pier. All dogs must be leashed, they said.

The only thing that's changed, Hubbard, said was that according to Riverhead Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Ray Coyne, a new "No Dogs On The Beach" sign was placed at Iron Pier Beach at the request of beach-goers.

Despite the new sign, no rules have changed, he said. Although the official rule is no dogs are allowed on Riverhead's public bathing beaches, in the off season, many people still do walk their dogs there — enforcement is difficult, he and Aguiar agreed.

Madhok said she completely understands that people don’t want dogs on the bathing beach in season.

"That’s always been the rule," she said.

She said she'd like to see dog friendly hours and areas during the summer months. Walking dogs on the beach is part of the East End experience, she said.

"In the United States there are 1.6 dogs per household," Madhok said. "There are a lot of dog lovers in Riverhead and many of us moved here to be able to walk our dogs on the beach."