Did you know that dogs are allowed on Fort Myers Beach, but they MUST be on a leash? Several members of the MERTF committee said Thursday morning that dogs off their leash are harrassing and killing birds.
MERTF committee member Jennifer Rusk said her phone is blowing up every day with people calling her to tell her dogs off their leash are chasing down birds. Committee member Rob Howell said dogs are also killing each other on the beach and he has pictures to prove it. Rusk said this has been a “subject for the last 5 years and has been brought to council for the last 5 years.” She added that kids are also being attacked by dogs.
Howell added enforcing fines will help with the town’s budget defecit.
Committee liason John King said he will bring the issue back to the Town Council and ask for additional signage which seem to still be missing since Hurricane Ian wiped them out. It’s hard for people to understand what the rules are about dogs on the beach of there are no signs.
It doesn’t matter if there are signs, they still have their dogs unleashed. They will have them on a leash when the beach patrol is out as soon as they are out of sight they unleash them. This has gone on for too long.
I thought the south end of the island was closed to dogs PERIOD. There used to be signs saying no dogs allowed because of the protected nesting birds. We need those signs back.
Why do we need photos, videos, hear about it etc. The ordinance says…
dogs must be on a leash at all times, with leashes no longer than six feet. Owners are also responsible for cleaning up after their dogs, and pets are not permitted in the designated critical wildlife area. What part of this don’t people understand???
Say you hate dogs without saying you hate dogs .
Lighten up Carolyn and Marcia I’ve never seen a dog catch a bird or bite a kid in the 30+ years I’ve been here
You most likely don’t even have a dog or ever had a dog, people like you take the fun out of the beach and just wanna complain Move to Sanibel
Lived here 28 years. Full time resident. Walk the beach multiple times a day. Never have i seen a dog attack a child, dog or bird. I do believe in following the law, but if you don’t like dogs, just say so.
I’ve never seen a dog that can catch a bird – also haven’t seen or heard anything about a Dog attacking a kid on FMB –
Either or would generate major headlines and action .
My golden retriever can catch birds. ie bird dog.
Isn’t that after they’ve been shot though?
If they have video evidence to what they alleged happened let’s see them otherwise it did not happen.
I live hear full time and have NEVER heard of dogs attacking kids on the beach…..show me the proof.
Dogs off leash are not only FMB residents but many are visitors……not uncommon to watch people arrive to the beach late afternoon and head out with their dog…..only steps into the walk, they remove the leash so that their dog can run free! It’s great for Fido to get exercise, but not at the expense of our shore birds that have slowly returned after the hurricane. I have seen this many, many times. We need the beach patrol to be monitoring this and issuing tickets from morning to dusk. Some people have no respect for our leash law. After a few tickets, word would get around…..maybe some publicity in local papers and NewPress that the leash law will be enforced?
The bigger issue is killing the birds and attacking kids. Those dog owners should be heavily fined just for those two actions. Restrict those dogs from the beach. I assume an off leash infraction is a minor ticket.
Please post pictures , police reports and any written statements. If MERTF member phone is blowing up on a daily basis, she should easily be able to provide some proof of her claims.