Town Increases Enforcement of Leash Law at Plymouth Long Beach
The Town of Plymouth is stepping up enforcement of the leash law at Plymouth Long Beach this beach season. Plymouth’s Parks & Beaches Bylaw 30-3 and the Plymouth Long Beach Management Plan require dogs to be leashed at all times. Violations can result in fines up to $100. Repeated violations may put the Town’s off-road vehicle permit in jeopardy.
Under the Plymouth Long Beach Management Plan, which is implemented so that off-road vehicles can access the beachfront via the Crossover, the Town is obligated to protect threatened and endangered shorebirds that use the beach for nesting and feeding. Plymouth Long Beach is a regionally significant area for nesting Piping Plovers, Least Terns, Common Terns, Arctic Terns, and Roseate Terns, which are all protected under state and/or federal endangered species acts. Long Beach is also an important staging area for migratory shorebirds. The Town’s obligation includes ensuring these shorebirds are not negatively impacted by unleashed dogs.
The Town’s efforts to gain compliance will include increased signage, a flyer campaign, and a continuation of last season’s educational “biscuit campaign”. Natural Resources staff will patrol regularly and issue citations as necessary. The Plymouth Police Department will have an increased presence, and the Animal Control Officer will be called for incidents on the beach.
If dog owners continue to let their dogs off leashes, State and Federal Authorities will ban dogs from Plymouth Long Beach in order to ensure the protection of the shorebirds, protect the Town from liability, and continue the privilege of vehicle access to the beachfront. “Although the majority of dog owners keep their dogs leashed, it is the selfish acts of a few who may ruin access for everyone,” said Acting DPW Director and Environmental Manager David Gould. “Residents can help preserve the opportunity for dogs to visit the beach by keeping dogs leashed at all times.”
For more information, contact the Town of Plymouth’s Environmental Management Division at 508-747-1620 x201.
| 
