Should dog-walking hours change for beaches, Mission Bay Park?

Pacific Beach’s latest hot-button issue concerns dog-walking hours at Mission Bay Park, with some advocating completely unrestricted pet-owner access.

Present law allows public dog walking on beaches after 6 p.m. from April 1 to Oct. 31 and after 4 p.m. from Nov. 1 to March 31. During the night and early-morning hours, licensed dogs are allowed on the beach, and sidewalks and park areas near the beach, until 9 a.m. However, canines must be leashed.

The dog-walking controversy has been vetted recently at PB public planning meetings. Thus far, the result has been no decision. “At both Pacific Beach Town Council and Pacific Beach Planning Group meetings, this issue has been presented, and at the latest PBPG meeting, both sides had the opportunity to present their case either for/against a proposed change to make Mission Bay Park dog hours open 24/7,” said Charlie Nieto, PBTC president.

Nieto pointed out that PBPG tabled the item recently to wait for more information on the potential impact of the proposed change from the City’s Parks Parks and Recreation Department. He added that PBTC “has not voted on this particular item because it had already passed a motion to consolidate dog park hours to be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round, as opposed to changing seasonally. The PBTC has declined to vote on an additional change to these hours until our original recommendation becomes adopted by the City.”

Nieto added dog walking is planned to be heard in the council committee in the next few months.

Those involved in both sides of the dog-walking controversy are passionate about their convictions. “The dog law is so unfair to the dog owners living here in Mission Bay Park,” contends Jeffery Purchin who argues, “As long as a dog owner uses a leash and picks up after their dog, they should be able to walk their dog anytime they choose.”

Purchin has secured 5,300-plus petition signatures gathered since last summer from those agreeing with him. “The number of those supporting this grows every day,” he said. “People do pick up after their dogs. You will hear from the other side that people are allergic to dogs, are afraid of dogs, that dog owners do not pick up after their dogs, and that there have been so many accidents because of dogs. I live right in front of the bay and I see nothing the opposition says. There is plenty of room for all to share Mission Bay Park.”

Those against changing Mission Bay Park dog-walking hours are equally vocal about their perspective. “I’m strongly opposed to lifting the dog restrictions but am open to the compromise of standardizing the hours year-round,” said Nicole Sours Larson of Riviera Sail Bay. “Lifting the restrictions would result in eliminating ‘any’ public park access in San Diego for people afraid of dogs for any reason. That includes kids and people previously bitten by dogs, seniors afraid of being knocked over or tripped by leashed or unleashed dogs, the disabled, parents who don’t want their toddlers or babies bothered or bitten, or people who just don’t like or are allergic to dogs, etc.”

San Diego Community Newspaper Group solicited comments on social media from residents asking whether they favor keeping dog-walking hours the way they are in Mission Bay Park – or lifting them all together. Here are just a few comments:

“If you have ever been a walker, runner, rollerblader, or with a stroller, you have most likely come across irresponsible owners of dogs that cause injuries. Children, leashed dogs and people are the victims. This is the only option they (City) have to be fair to all. … I have been bit, my leashed dog has been bit many times. They have to draw the line somewhere.” – Kristina D. of University City.

“I would like access to walking my dog at other times. I have been knocked over by runners and almost hit by bicycles so often that I can no longer walk my dog during allowed hours. I am in my 70s, so walking in the morning perhaps up to noon would be good. However, I would like stricter rules and enforcement for off-leash dogs. All dogs should be on a leash and everyone should clean up after their dogs.” – Pauline Sager, Pacific Beach.

“Not everyone likes dogs or can be around them. There has to be dog-free time. Until the dog-owner community starts to police itself by enforcing the leash law and poop-scoop law, there is no room to allow latitude on a global scale. I walk without a dog and if I ask someone to put their dog on a leash, it’s an open invitation for verbal abuse.” – Judith Knowles, La Jolla.

“Leashed dogs should be allowed most times on the boardwalks, except maybe peak weekends/holidays. The boardwalk is a lovely place to walk and leashed dogs aren’t much of a problem. The real danger is the motorized scooters/bikes and the fast-riding bikes way over the 8 mph speed limit. I wish they would enforce that before someone is seriously hurt.” – Frank Schech, Pacific Beach.

“The current hours are a fair compromise. There are multiple places to walk dogs at all hours just about everywhere else in the City.” – Sue H., Bay Ho.

“The hours are very restrictive and require dog owners to walk their dogs in the alleys during the day. Dogs should be allowed all the time, but perhaps increase the fine for off-leashed dogs as a deterrent. Regardless, without an increase in budget for enforcement of all laws at the beach, which I don’t see happening anytime soon, none of the rules matter.” – Cindi Stratton, Mission Beach.

GUIDELINES

In general, dogs are allowed on beaches after 6 p.m. from April 1 to Oct. 31 or after 4 p.m. from Nov. 1 to March 31. Licensed dogs are allowed on the beach, and on sidewalks and park areas near the beach, during the night and early morning hours until 9 a.m., but they must be leashed.