Monday, September 23, 2013

Violation of NO Pets at the Lake Worth Beach

Comment Up

Pets at our beach park were never allowed until the commission granted the public permission to take their pets to the Green Market that used to operate on A1A and now is across the street at Old Bridge Park.  Their thought was that it was "business friendly." Prior to that, NO pets were ever allowed. And by making that one exception, it opened the door to abuse and/or confusion of our Ordinance against pets on our beach property. That is always what happens when we make exceptions to our rules and laws.

Little darlin-Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Ya-ya-ya, yaaaaaaaaaaa
Ya-ya-ya, yaaaaaaaaaaa
Ya-ya-yaaaaaaaaaaa-aaaah

Yesterday at the beach during the hour I was there, there were three pet owners walking their dogs in front of the casino and down the boardwalk. One had little Poo Poo in a carry-all bag. She is someone who can't go anywhere without her little darling. When pointing out the sign to the woman above, she said that the sign was meant for me.  Sounds like someone who comes to my blog from time to time. "I always bring my dog and no one has ever said that I can't, not even the police," she exclaimed.


We did see beach traffic security drive by three times without stopping and getting out of their vehicle to patrol the areas.
It may possibly be the signage as NO Pets Allowed signs are posted on the railing throughout the beach property but not across the road at the Casino or in the parking lots. That one lady with a dog was sitting directly across from the sign but it did not register. She had much more fun deciding her way was the right way and the only way...little darlin. She fits right in to this city.

Juan Ruiz, Recreation Manager says, "Dogs at the beach are prohibited by ordinance. We are trying our best to enforce."

The Ordinance in Section 6-3 under domesticated animals prohibited on public property says: "...it shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of a domesticated animal to knowingly or unknowingly permit such animal to enter or be upon a playground, school grounds, designated sports fields, cemetery, golf course, beach or casino and the beach parking area, or a road, sidewalk, pedestrian path..."

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought the way the signs were posted that my dog was allowed at the Casino, but not onto the beach.
I don't agree with dogs on a public beach(who in the heck wants to be run over by a speeding,frisby chasing Lab while trying to catch some rays), but I don't see a problem with them walking on a leash at the Casino part.

Anonymous said...

You are right again Lynn, There are lots of little darlins like the lady you mention in your article. And alot of two legged 'animals' too! Cool article pointing out another snafu!

Anonymous said...

I always thought that dogs were not allowed anywhere at the beach, the beach, the casino and even the beach parking lot. But when the new Casino opened, the signs were limited to the beach area and I saw dogs walking (with owners) along the bike path, adjacent to the beach, and at the Casino. So I asked wait staff at Mulligan's and they said that dogs were permitted at the Casino and that we could bring the dog to dine at the Casino, like downtown. I don't know where Mulligan's got that info.

The ordinance is confusing at best, it says no dogs anywhere (the part you quote) but then it lists public parks as an exception. Is the Casino a public park, I think one could have a good argument that it is, and with the way the signs are posted I think most people (if they were not familiar with the rules/signs at the old Casino) would assume the City is simply enforcing a no dogs on the beach rule. I have not brought my dog over yet.

Lynn Anderson said...

Please don't bring your dog over at all if you want to be within our law. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

The Ordinance in Section 6-3 under domesticated animals prohibited on public property says: "...it shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of a domesticated animal to knowingly or unknowingly permit such animal to enter or be upon a playground, school grounds, designated sports fields, cemetery, golf course, beach or casino and the beach parking area, or a road, sidewalk, pedestrian path..."

anony at 2:04, why is that confusing? No dogs at the beach or casino, the parking lots, sidewalks. I can see it now. Well, traffic person, I just did not understand the signs. I thought you only meant where the sand is. Tthe beach is a park but that is irrelevant here because dogs can be at parks, just not our beach park.

Anonymous said...

Sinage only at the beach accesses and not at the casino building or walkway IS confusing as the average citizen cannot repeat Ordinance and section- let alone visitors to our area. My daughter and I had lunch at Mulligan's, her dog along, and they even have special water bowls brought out for the dogs while you eat...even a more confusing message

Anonymous said...

The ordinance is confusing, because it exempts public parks and does not define public parks. I would argue that the Casino is a public park area and therefore it would be exempt from the ordinance.

Then combined with the signs, only being at the entrance of the beach an ordinary person or visitor would have no idea that the Casino is included (assuming not exempt). One very much could be in compliance with the ordinance the way it is written and have their dog at the Casino which is a public park.

I don't think the city would win trying to enforce the tickets for dogs at the Casino. If we want to exclude dogs at the beach property in full, then the ordinance needs to be rewritten and signs need to be posted.

Anonymous said...

PBSO would be the only enforcement agency capable of writing tickets.

Where does is say NO DOGS ALLOWED on a parking citation? The parking meter guys are NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT. They do not have a way to communicate with the dispatch of PBSO, Only the District 14 number and 911, Just like anyone else on the beach property.

Anonymous said...

I saw a cop severely reprimand a woman walking a small dog in front of the casino building in 2011. He was really out of line in the way he screamed at this woman. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have spoken that way to a man. But yes, people need to obey the law. I'd also like to see something done about the guys who tie up their pit bulls outside of Kava Sutra so children can't walk by without having a pit right in their face. I saw two women make a major detour, walking out on the curb, to avoid having to navigate the sidewalk around another large dog dining at Brogues on the weekend. We have many selfish and thoughtless dog owners in this town. They should be put down.

Anonymous said...

. if it was the rap lady .. you a




if it was the rat lady you would take a picture what's wrong with dogs on leashes and owners of picking up after any mistakes. you're such a dog lover remember buddy the doggie sent to death. arrgh a few



if it was the rat lady. you take cute pictures what's wrong was well behave leashed test the owners will pick up any mistakes thought you were a dog lover remember buddy

Lynn Anderson said...

@2:44--the ordinance is quite clear--NO dogs allowed at the beach, the casino, the parking lots there, etc. Sorry. This beach park is an exception under the ordinance that allows pets in our parks.

Anonymous said...

THE SIGN SAYS NO ANIMALS AROUND DO THE MEAN THE HUMAN ANIMALS THAT CREATE MORE TRASH AND CREATE MORE PROBLEMS-----I NEVER SAW A ANIMAL THAT SELLS DRUGS,PROSTITUTE --SLEEP IN PARK---AND STEAL MONEY FROM OUR CITIZENS---SO WHO ARE THE REAL ANIMALS IN LAKE WORTH----THE TRASHY PEOPLE THAT LIVES HERE IN A CITY WHERE THE CRIME IS JUST GETTING WORST ANDMORE DRUG DEALER ARE COMING HERE BECAUSE THEY KNOW ALOT OF THEM----

Anonymous said...

I don't think the ordinance is clear at all, so why would the city or PBSO be enforcing an unclear ordinance? If people keep their dogs on leash, clean up, etc. why not allow them at the Casino. I can understand the no dogs on the beach rule and there are signs for that.

Lynn Anderson said...

WHY is it UNCLEAR to you?

Carol said...

She wants to make it unclear because she's stupid and wants her own way. Get it?

Anonymous said...

The Casino/beach area is a tourist and visitor area if we are going to enforce a no animals rule it should be well posted. Do we really expect people coming into our city to review our ordinances?

Lynn Anderson said...

OF course not, anonymous at 4:19. But what we do expect is for the proper signage with a mentioned fine so that no one gets confused. We expect staff to let them know that poochy is not welcome at our beach park. We also expect that our merchants DO understand the ordinance and stop telling visitors that they can bring their dogs.

Anonymous said...

Then ask the City to post signs in the appropriate spot and to advertise no animals anywhere at the Casino or Beach and don't lecture people at the beach. You are not in charge of enforcement so I'm not surprised that you got push back.

Mulligans welcomes pet, I would assume they cleared that with the City b/c they wouldn't want to encourage that and then have their guests get in trouble.

Lynn Anderson said...

Guess what? I have never lectured anyone at the beach or anywhere else--only on this blog perhaps. I, as a citizen, have every right to point to a sign if someone is breaking our laws. What "push back?"

It is up to the city to get better signage and enforce our laws.

Anonymous said...

Mulligans needs to be told the score. He's probably in violation of his lease. People need to read the signs and keep F**ing fido off the beach.