Little unleashes more rancor than a debate over letting dogs off leash on county beaches. The topic packed the meeting room at the Simpkins Swim Center Monday night but the result put a muzzle on any immediate action.
After hearing two hours of pro and con testimony about opening the beaches to free roaming dogs for several hours a day, the County Parks & Recreation Commission unanimously voted to study the question longer and try to resolve it within three months. The commission makes a recommendation which if voted on by the County Board of Supervisors. The proposed ordinance has already been discussed for 18 months.
There is no lack of cute names in the dog fight. One group, LOOLA (Live Oak Off- Leash Advocates has the county to let dogs roam free on Moran Beach, between Capitola and Santa Cruz, between dawn and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and sunset, as they already do at the City of Santa Cruz's Lighthouse Beach. They've garnered 3,600 signatures on a petition and packed the room with people in blue shirts supporting their cause.
On the other side is a group pronounced Lassie, LLASCC, Leash Law Advocates of Santa Cruz County. They only had 300 people sign their petition, however they had a strong string of speakers at Monday night's meeting.
The arguments boiled down to those who said that dogs need to get out and run around, just as much as their people do; and those who fear that dogs are uncontrollable and are a public safety hazard.
Leash advocates had a strong recent case on their side, after a 5-year-old was severely attacked by a dog at Rio Del Mar beach May 21.
"There's overwhelming evidence that unleashed dogs are a danger to wildlife on what's become a federally protected marine life sanctuary," said Ian Walton. "And there's overwhelming evidence that compromise, sharing and self monitoring do not work. Just ask the parents of the boy who was mauled in Rio Del Mar."
However, dog lovers countered that they were asking for a small percentage of free time, on what amounts to 3 percent of the area's beaches. Without being allowed to run free somewhere, dogs were apt to be less socialized, they said.
"I walk around Light House Point on West Cliff and I share that path with bicycles," countered resident Jerry Kay. It's dangerous, but I share it. I give them their due to go. I surf and I go out in the ocean with my long board and I share the ocean with short boarders, kayakers and paddle boarders. I share the beach with people playing ball and I've gotten hit on the head many times."
In Santa Cruz County, the argument is as un-winnable as is the fight about abortion in the rest of the country.
Several people showed evidence of their dog bites, saying they were randomly attacked, to the shock of the dogs' owners. Some said they were afraid to walk the beach or bring children.
On the other side, a psychologist suggested that children love dogs on the beach and even dogs belonging to strangers make inspiring companions. And one woman noted that with all the people who wanted to walk the beach, there were few out in the early morning hours, when she wants to bring her dog.
Some claimed dogs interrupted the nesting cycle of endangered birds, while others noted that there were plenty of birds, and "not just seagulls" on the city of Santa Cruz beaches where dogs are allowed to run free at certain hours.
Four members of the commission, with Dave Mercer not in attendance, voted to hold off on a decision until they could study how 17 other cities, including Carmel, handle dogs running free on their beaches. They also wanted more information on who owns some of the beaches, the county or the state parks.
See pro leash video here.
Anti leash video above.
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