Editor:
Perhaps it might help to dissipate the noxious cloud that hangs over the issue of dogs on Willard Beach if the Dog Owners Association itself stepped forward to assume some responsibility.
The South Portland Animal Control Officer logs long hours trying to monitor the situation, but he can’t, and is not expected to do so around the clock.
There are those who note his off-duty times. There are those who ignore the signs at every beach entrance. There are those who run dogs on the beach evenings, weekends, afternoons – totally disdaining the rules.
If the Dog Owners Association could assign a corp of members to rotate, backing up the animal control officer, to admonish diplomatically, in a non-confrontational manner, those breaking the rules, maybe the message would get through.
Actually at this point in the summer, violators should be fined, but if any citations actually have been levied, it would seem word would have gotten out and the deterrent would be more effective.
Willard Beach has only about a half mile of usable sand, and dog numbers have increased as neighboring communities restrict beach usage, causing more pressure as dogs are transported in by non-residents.
Some dogs also are running loose through yards, trampling gardens and newly-seeded areas. Dogs should be on a leash until on the beach and just before leaving. And chronically barking dogs need to be muzzled, if owners can’t keep them reasonably quiet otherwise.
You don’t have to live directly on Willard Beach to be affected by the dog problem. There are plenty of us others, long-term area residents, many on modest fixed incomes, that expect a fair consideration of our concerns.
Ralph Lowe
South Portland