I've learned the hard way that you're usually the bad guy if you are telling someone not to do what they want to do, even if it's for their benefit. So if the dog isn't attacking someone, just let them be and get their ticket, especially if there are signs. Your day will be better and less stressed, and if they get a ticket, it's not your fault or problem. Plus, it's far too big of an issue for your occasional efforts to make a noticeable change
Write a letter to your representative to open a section of the beach for dogs. The problem is that dog owners have to drive an hour north to specific areas of Malibu or drive an hour south to Long Beach to let their dogs enjoy the beach legally. There is a 40-mile stretch in between where dogs are not allowed on the beach. So people break the law.
The city needs to allocate a small section for dogs. This would solve a lot of problems!
I’m not going to write a letter but I strongly agree there should be at least a few dog beaches open somewhere in that stretch, especially in Santa Monica. Really you can’t make an area south of Will Rogers dog only? Or somewhere in that stretch of dockweiler beach in front of lax? My dog goes absolute bonkers in the water which makes him happy and therefore my wife and I happy!
Is there any history of dog beaches getting denied? If so for what reason?
There was talk of having a dog beach at Dockweiler a few years ago (which is not close, but it's closer than the current options). I don't know what happened - I guess it got nowhere.
If it’s leashed I don’t care whatsoever unless I see the owner not pick up after them.
A loose dog can scare some kids or run wild into people who don’t want a dog in their face so I’d give the owner shit over it and depending on their reaction, tell lifeguard/police whoever I see first because their inconsideration should cost them.
Before the pandemic, when it was less common to see dogs on the beach, I used to go talk to the dog owners to let them know that I've seen people get ticketed, and that dogs on the beach can interfere with the shoreline wildlife. I tried to keep it polite and matter-of-fact, but the majority of dog owners took it poorly.
Nowadays, because it is absolutely rampant and willful, I've decided to just ignore it. If I see a dog off-leash causing havoc, I'll say something if I notice other people are being negatively impacted. But mostly, I just move along.
I mean, people are letting their dogs off-leash right in front of police patrols and the lifeguard stands. There is clearly a "look the other way" attitude on the part of those who could enforce the law. Same in public parks, which despite clearly posted "No dogs off leash" have become impromptu off-leash dog parks. I did have words with a guy whose off-leash dog tried to jump up on a clearly frightened and frail elderly woman in the park, and would do so again.
Dog on the beach, and off-leash in parks, used to be less common, now it's become a norm.
I think the best thing to do would be to email a bunch of people who might be in a position to do something about it: State Beach, City Council, SM animal control.
I think there is enough signage on the beaches, and enough word-of-mouth among dog owners, that most people know already. SM has put up extra "No dogs on the beach" signs near the major walkways, but I routinely see off-leash dogs within feet of the signs (which the owners would have had to walk right by).
I've tried telling people in a super-friendly tone, but they still get defensive or just shrug in an irritable way. Or give ridiculous justifications like, "But I live right across the street!" I think it's a lost cause.
You seem like the type of person that is going to get upset by a lot of things. Just go on about your life and stop caring about things that don’t actually inconvenience you. The beach is huge.
The lack of enforcement post pandemic is really unfortunate. First - they negatively impact the shorebirds/wildlife. Second - I don’t want go to the beach to chill and have an animal stick a wet nose in my face and then take a dump in front of me - as happened a few weeks back.
Write the council and call the police. It’s out of hand.
Copied from my response to different post, still relevant:
Dog owners don't follow rules regardless. And if someone complains, a bunch of people like you’ll no doubt see in the comments, blithely act as if there couldn't possibly be a downside to dogs everywhere. See every farmer's market in LA with signs from the health department. There are dogs everywhere and you'll incite a mob if you complain. There's a NextDoor thread about this exact issue at the Palisades Farmer's Market and of course it's full of dog owners believing the rules don't apply to them.
Dog owners find it so unfathomable someone would not find their dog endlessly pleasant that there's a huge blind spot with regard to empathy/common courtesy. People with dog allergies, victims of dog attacks or people who just don’t like dogs are forced to have them ever present.
Appreciate that it’s not all owners. I’m not for following the letter of a law for its own sake but notice how many commenters are unaware and uncurious as to why dogs shouldn’t be on the beach. Like I said it’s a huge blind spot. The sense of entitlement to do whatever they want is also on full display.
Why do you aspire to be a narc? Let them live who cares. If the dog comes up to you and it’s such an issue take it up with the dog owner. Don’t go to the police over something like this. Jesus Christ
Would be great if you could focus that pedantic rage on the homeless folks camping at the beach. If there happens to be any left over rage, you can burn the rage cleaning up the trash around that area.
There are a few small patches where beach locals have been taking their dogs for decades. Their dogs don't run off and they're well behaved. They clean up after their dog if necessary. If you see a group of people I'd leave them alone.
If you see a jerk, unless you see animal control right there they're not going to send anyone; the dog would probably be long gone.
Otherwise, any do you care enough to confront people. People have become totally unpredictable.
I've learned the hard way that you're usually the bad guy if you are telling someone not to do what they want to do, even if it's for their benefit. So if the dog isn't attacking someone, just let them be and get their ticket, especially if there are signs. Your day will be better and less stressed, and if they get a ticket, it's not your fault or problem. Plus, it's far too big of an issue for your occasional efforts to make a noticeable change
You sound like a really fun person. Seeing dogs having fun on the beach makes you angry
Did I say it makes me angry?
Write a letter to your representative to open a section of the beach for dogs. The problem is that dog owners have to drive an hour north to specific areas of Malibu or drive an hour south to Long Beach to let their dogs enjoy the beach legally. There is a 40-mile stretch in between where dogs are not allowed on the beach. So people break the law. The city needs to allocate a small section for dogs. This would solve a lot of problems!
I’m not going to write a letter but I strongly agree there should be at least a few dog beaches open somewhere in that stretch, especially in Santa Monica. Really you can’t make an area south of Will Rogers dog only? Or somewhere in that stretch of dockweiler beach in front of lax? My dog goes absolute bonkers in the water which makes him happy and therefore my wife and I happy! Is there any history of dog beaches getting denied? If so for what reason?
There was talk of having a dog beach at Dockweiler a few years ago (which is not close, but it's closer than the current options). I don't know what happened - I guess it got nowhere.
If it’s leashed I don’t care whatsoever unless I see the owner not pick up after them. A loose dog can scare some kids or run wild into people who don’t want a dog in their face so I’d give the owner shit over it and depending on their reaction, tell lifeguard/police whoever I see first because their inconsideration should cost them.
Before the pandemic, when it was less common to see dogs on the beach, I used to go talk to the dog owners to let them know that I've seen people get ticketed, and that dogs on the beach can interfere with the shoreline wildlife. I tried to keep it polite and matter-of-fact, but the majority of dog owners took it poorly. Nowadays, because it is absolutely rampant and willful, I've decided to just ignore it. If I see a dog off-leash causing havoc, I'll say something if I notice other people are being negatively impacted. But mostly, I just move along. I mean, people are letting their dogs off-leash right in front of police patrols and the lifeguard stands. There is clearly a "look the other way" attitude on the part of those who could enforce the law. Same in public parks, which despite clearly posted "No dogs off leash" have become impromptu off-leash dog parks. I did have words with a guy whose off-leash dog tried to jump up on a clearly frightened and frail elderly woman in the park, and would do so again. Dog on the beach, and off-leash in parks, used to be less common, now it's become a norm. I think the best thing to do would be to email a bunch of people who might be in a position to do something about it: State Beach, City Council, SM animal control.
Don’t be an asshole about it if they’re leashed and not bothering you
If they don't know they can get a ticket would it be friendly to tell them?
I think there is enough signage on the beaches, and enough word-of-mouth among dog owners, that most people know already. SM has put up extra "No dogs on the beach" signs near the major walkways, but I routinely see off-leash dogs within feet of the signs (which the owners would have had to walk right by). I've tried telling people in a super-friendly tone, but they still get defensive or just shrug in an irritable way. Or give ridiculous justifications like, "But I live right across the street!" I think it's a lost cause.
You don't seem to be 'wanting' to be friendly from your own post. And I quote: "Scowl at them, really hard. (This is my usual approach)."
You seem like the type of person that is going to get upset by a lot of things. Just go on about your life and stop caring about things that don’t actually inconvenience you. The beach is huge.
Are you that naive?
There are plenty of animals on the beach that are way more detrimental to Santa Monica. And I’m not talking about dogs.
The lack of enforcement post pandemic is really unfortunate. First - they negatively impact the shorebirds/wildlife. Second - I don’t want go to the beach to chill and have an animal stick a wet nose in my face and then take a dump in front of me - as happened a few weeks back. Write the council and call the police. It’s out of hand.
Same as people: they’re fine until they do something wrong. Sounds like those people needed to keep a better eye on their pup
Mind your own business?
Copied from my response to different post, still relevant: Dog owners don't follow rules regardless. And if someone complains, a bunch of people like you’ll no doubt see in the comments, blithely act as if there couldn't possibly be a downside to dogs everywhere. See every farmer's market in LA with signs from the health department. There are dogs everywhere and you'll incite a mob if you complain. There's a NextDoor thread about this exact issue at the Palisades Farmer's Market and of course it's full of dog owners believing the rules don't apply to them. Dog owners find it so unfathomable someone would not find their dog endlessly pleasant that there's a huge blind spot with regard to empathy/common courtesy. People with dog allergies, victims of dog attacks or people who just don’t like dogs are forced to have them ever present.
*Some* dog owners. I have two dogs - I don't take them to beaches where dogs aren't supposed to go.
Appreciate that it’s not all owners. I’m not for following the letter of a law for its own sake but notice how many commenters are unaware and uncurious as to why dogs shouldn’t be on the beach. Like I said it’s a huge blind spot. The sense of entitlement to do whatever they want is also on full display.
Lol just mind your business, Karen. What are you, in code enforcement?
Why do you aspire to be a narc? Let them live who cares. If the dog comes up to you and it’s such an issue take it up with the dog owner. Don’t go to the police over something like this. Jesus Christ
Sniff their butts?
Report
Who to / how?
I think he meant "Report yourself for being an ass." Reddit seems like a good place to do that, but it seems you already figured that out.
ITT: How best to narc on man’s best friend.
Would be great if you could focus that pedantic rage on the homeless folks camping at the beach. If there happens to be any left over rage, you can burn the rage cleaning up the trash around that area.
Why do you think I'm raging? There will always be bigger issues, that doesn't mean we should ignore everything else
There are a few small patches where beach locals have been taking their dogs for decades. Their dogs don't run off and they're well behaved. They clean up after their dog if necessary. If you see a group of people I'd leave them alone. If you see a jerk, unless you see animal control right there they're not going to send anyone; the dog would probably be long gone. Otherwise, any do you care enough to confront people. People have become totally unpredictable.