Visiting for Thanksgiving-Question about dogs

[KatnKim]

Hi. My husband and I are staying in Grayton Beach during Thanksgiving week. I read where only dogs registered in So. Wal are allowed on the beach. Does anyone know how much the citation is if you get caught with non registered pups on the beach, during allowed hours, of course. Thanks,
Kat

[jessifunn]

how about just follow the rules and you won't have to worry about it

[KatnKim]

Because rules are made to be broken. I can't help it...it's the renegade in me.

[Beachmom]

Make sure to read the "I've had it with" thread

[KatnKim]

Thanks Beachmom, I did. I too, can't stand it when dog owners let their dogs poop wherever and then just leave it there. I clean up after my own dogs in their fenced in yard because I hate the smell and inconvenience of having to step through my yard like a mine field. I really hate it at the park or the beach or other public places when people do not clean after themselves. I've picked up someone elses dog poop at Inlet Beach who was walking in front of me and gave it to her when she passed back the other direction! We are visitors in your neighborhoods and towns and we should respect that.

[Liv'smom]

Hi. My husband and I are staying in Grayton Beach during Thanksgiving week. I read where only dogs registered in So. Wal are allowed on the beach. Does anyone know how much the citation is if you get caught with non registered pups on the beach, during allowed hours, of course. Thanks,
Kat

KK, my dog isn't registered, but I sneak her down there sometimes. She loves the beach and I guess I have a little renegade in me too. I don't know how much the fine is though. Don't worry I always carry a bag with me, so don't cuss me if you step in poo.

[Beachmom]

Thanks Beachmom, I did. I too, can't stand it when dog owners let their dogs poop wherever and then just leave it there. I clean up after my own dogs in their fenced in yard because I hate the smell and inconvenience of having to step through my yard like a mine field. I really hate it at the park or the beach or other public places when people do not clean after themselves. I've picked up someone elses dog poop at Inlet Beach who was walking in front of me and gave it to her when she passed back the other direction! We are visitors in your neighborhoods and towns and we should respect that.

[Beach Runner]

Hi. My husband and I are staying in Grayton Beach during Thanksgiving week. I read where only dogs registered in So. Wal are allowed on the beach. Does anyone know how much the citation is if you get caught with non registered pups on the beach, during allowed hours, of course. Thanks,
Kat

I've been told that a sheriff patrolling the beach could impound your dog if it doesn't have a tag, so I don't risk it because I'd flip if that happened to my dog. However, I'm a worry wort; I really don't think a sheriff would do that. To be safe, just don't get too far from a beach walkover. Then if you see a sheriff coming, haul a$$ off the beach! Or be really nice and play dumb.

And, like everyone else said, pick up the poop. :)

[Miss Kitty]

[steele mama]

A friend of ours (Fire Head)took GK's dog Hero for a walk and wanted to be nice and took her to the beach AFTER 8:00 am and she took her off the leash, and she is not registered and she didn't have a poop bag...the ticket was $20.

[Smiling JOe]

I've been told that a sheriff patrolling the beach could impound your dog if it doesn't have a tag, so I don't risk it because I'd flip if that happened to my dog. However, I'm a worry wort; I really don't think a sheriff would do that. To be safe, just don't get too far from a beach walkover. Then if you see a sheriff coming, haul a$$ off the beach! Or be really nice and play dumb.

And, like everyone else said, pick up the poop. :)

Some clarification on the rules for you, from the WalCo Code of Ordinances:


Sec. 5-33. Identification. All animals must wear a collar which identifies the owner of said animal, the owner's address and phone number, tattoo, or a microchip. To ensure proper notice, all tattoos shall be registered with the animal control authority. An officer may pick up any animal that is not properly identified and place said animal in the animal control shelter.

(Ord. No. 2001-07, § VI, 6-12-01; Ord. No. 2001-2



Let me please bring to your attention something that many owners of beach going dogs do not realize. In areas like Grayton Beach, where there are State Parks on either side, many birds nest in these areas. Dogs running free in these areas, harrass the birds and may disturb their nests and or eggs, which is a big no-no. We are now in nesting season, so please, everyone, keep your dogs on a leash so that they don't disrupt an otherwise pleasant day for the birds.

Sec. 5-32. Dogs on the beach. (a) All dogs shall be prohibited from public beaches of Walton County except as provided below:

(1) Dogs assisting those who are sight and hearing impaired or service animals; or

(2) Dogs owned by Walton County real property owners or permanent residents who have obtained a permit and who maintain the animal on a leash. The permit will allow leashed dogs on the beach between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. of the following day during daylight savings time and between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. of the following day during non-daylight savings time. Any Walton County real property owner or permanent resident desiring a permit shall be required to pay a $30.00 fee. The Walton County Tax Collector shall be responsible for issuing the permits and shall retain $5.00 as a processing fee. All permits issued shall be for a period of one year and will expire August 1 of each year, with a grace period until August 15 of each year. Proof of rabies vaccination must be presented prior to obtaining a permit.

(3) Owners of dogs shall be responsible for pick up of their dogs' waste.

Sec. 5-33. Identification. All animals must wear a collar which identifies the owner of said animal, the owner's address and phone number, tattoo, or a microchip. To ensure proper notice, all tattoos shall be registered with the animal control authority. An officer may pick up any animal that is not properly identified and place said animal in the animal control shelter.

(Ord. No. 2001-07, § VI, 6-12-01; Ord. No. 2001-2


Sec. 5-41. Penalty. (a) Violation of any section of this article shall be a civil infraction the maximum penalty for which shall not exceed $500.00. If the person who has committed the civil infraction does not contest the citation, civil penalties of less than the maximum civil penalty shall be assessed as follows:

(1) The officer shall have the discretion either to issue a warning with no civil penalty or issue a citation for a fine in the amount of $20.00 for the first offense. The second offense occurring within three years, whether the first offense resulted in a warning or a fine, shall require a fine in the amount of $50.00. The third offense occurring within three years shall require a fine in the amount of $100.00. Subsequent offenses occurring within three years shall be punishable by a civil penalty as the courtmay impose, not to exceed $500.00.

(b) If the person who has been cited for committing the civil infraction should contest the citation, civil penalties up to the maximum civil penalty, with court costs, may be assessed.

(1) A citation may be issued by an officer who has probable cause to believe that a person has committed an act in violation of this article. After issuing a citation to an alleged violator, the officer shall deposit the original of the citation with the clerk of courts for Walton County. The officer shall also give one copy of the citation to the alleged violator, one copy to the Walton County administrator, and shall retain one copy of the citation for himself.

(2) A citation may be contested by the alleged violator in the county court by filing with the clerk a written demand for a hearing within 30 days of receiving the citation. Upon receiving a demand for hearing from an alleged violator the clerk shall schedule a hearing in the county court, shall send notice of the hearing to the alleged violator and the officer, and shall subpoena any witnesses listed on the citation by the citing officer. The officer and alleged violator shall be responsible for preparing subpoenas for issuance by the clerk, for any witnesses which are not listed on the citation. Any person electing to appear in the county court shall be deemed to have waived their right to pay a civil penalty as set in this section and may be assessed by the county court with a civil penalty up to the maximum civil penalty, and court costs.

(3) Any person cited for a violation of this article who does not elect to appear in county court shall pay the clerk of courts for Walton County the civil penalty either by mail or in person within 30 days of the date of receiving the citation.

(4) If a person fails to pay the civil penalty within 30 days, or to appear in court to contest the citation, the court may issue an order to show cause upon motion filed by the county. In such a case the person shall be deemed to have waived his right to contest the citation and a judgment may be entered against the person for an amount up to the maximum penalty. This order shall require such persons to appear before the court to explain why action on the citation has not been taken. If any person who is issued such order fails to appear in response to the court directive, that person may be held in contempt of court. The county shall be entitled to its costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in such proceedings.

(5) As provided in section F.S. § 828.27(3)(b), any person who willfully refuses to sign and accept a citation issued by an officer is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in F.S. §§ 775.082 or 775.083.

(5) In addition to the enforcement procedures provided herein, the board may enforce this article by any other means provided by law, and may further enforce this article by actions at law and in equity, including actions for injunctive relief, and, if the county prevails in any such action, the county shall be entitled to its costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in such action.

(6) In the event an animal is impounded for violation of this article and the owner of the animal abandons the animal to the animal control shelter, the owner shall remain liable for the civil penalties imposed for violation of this article.

(7) Issuance of a citation or warning to an adult member of the household in which an animal resides shall be deemed notice of the citation or warning to all members of the household.

(8) Any civil fines and penalties collected pursuant to this article shall be deposited monthly into the county general fund.

(9) The clerk of court shall retain $1.00 from each fine collected for the purpose of defraying office expense.

[hippiechick]

Taking your dog on the beach without a tag is tempting for visitors. But one of the reasons for the tag, is to protect the general public by not issuing a tag without proof of a current rabies vaccine. Dogs, even well behaved dogs, can exhibit unpredictable behavior in an unfamiliar enviorment. If you want to visit our area, then obey the laws here and be respectful. If we visited your area you would expect nothing less.

[bluemtnfriend]

We registered our dog and you have to prove you own property in South Walton and you have to have complete medical records from your vet. We just had proof of rabies vac. and had to get our vet to fax rest of medical.

Lot of hassle, put worth not having to worry about getting ticketed.

[Beach Runner]

All permits issued shall be for a period of one year and will expire August 1 of each year, with a grace period until August 15 of each year.

OOPS! I didn't know that. I thought it was good for a year from the date of purchase. I got Pepper's last Thanksgiving, so I guess technically she's been illegal since August.

Is the office where you get the permits open on Saturdays?

I really didn't know that the animal rules were enforced, but I can see how they might be more likely to be enforced at Grayton Beach with all of the activity and vehicles there. At my end of the beach it is rare to see any patrols.

Thanks for the info, SJ!

[goofer44]

Taking your dog on the beach without a tag is tempting for visitors. But one of the reasons for the tag, is to protect the general public by not issuing a tag without proof of a current rabies vaccine. Dogs, even well behaved dogs, can exhibit unpredictable behavior in an unfamiliar enviorment. If you want to visit our area, then obey the laws here and be respectful. If we visited your area you would expect nothing less.

You love your dog , he is a member of the family. Getting a tag protects the dog !! It just makes sense to get the tag and comply with the law rather than be caught in a net of complete hassle if an officer happens by and gives you a citation. He may even impound the dog....

[Paige]

I've never seen the sheriff's department issue a ticket for this. They have always notified the owner of the ordinance and ask them to take the dog home. I've seen this many times in Seagrove.

[Beach Runner]

OOPS! I didn't know that. I thought it was good for a year from the date of purchase. I got Pepper's last Thanksgiving, so I guess technically she's been illegal since August.

Is the office where you get the permits open on Saturdays?

I really didn't know that the animal rules were enforced, but I can see how they might be more likely to be enforced at Grayton Beach with all of the activity and vehicles there. At my end of the beach it is rare to see any patrols.

Thanks for the info, SJ!

Nevermind. Pepper's okay. "The permit authorized herein shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of purchase." http://www.co.walton.fl.us/default.asp?ID=29

They're closed on Saturdays and also on the day after Thanksgiving. It was really hard to find their phone number. I had to call some random number on their website, and the person answering directed me to someone who directed me to someone else. 850-267-3001 (the tax collector's office at the courthouse annex).

[30A Skunkape]

All this illegal dog action gives a new meaning to the concept of crap on the beach.

[Miss Kitty]

Nevermind. Pepper's okay. "The permit authorized herein shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of purchase." http://www.co.walton.fl.us/default.asp?ID=29

They're closed on Saturdays and also on the day after Thanksgiving. It was really hard to find their phone number. I had to call some random number on their website, and the person answering directed me to someone who directed me to someone else. 850-267-3001 (the tax collector's office at the courthouse annex).

Recheck this info. I just renewed Molly's when we arrived. Her old one was purchased last October and expired in August. The new one is good until 8/1/07.

[Beach Runner]

Recheck this info. I just renewed Molly's when we arrived. Her old one was purchased last October and expired in August. The new one is good until 8/1/07.

Thanks. Maybe they've changed the policy but haven't updated their website. Unfortunately, I don't know when the next time I'll be there on a weekday that isn't a holiday will be.

[ShallowsNole]

Thanks. Maybe they've changed the policy but haven't updated their website. Unfortunately, I don't know when the next time I'll be there on a weekday that isn't a holiday will be.

BR, I'd wager that you could renew via mail if you can send copies of your vet records. Give the 850-267-3001 folks a call -

[Beach Runner]

BR, I'd wager that you could renew via mail if you can send copies of your vet records. Give the 850-267-3001 folks a call -

Oh, thanks! I'll try that.

[Chief Deputy TC]

Beach Dog Permitting:

All permits issued shall be for a period of one year and will expire August 1 of each year, with a grace period until August 15 of each year.

You can renew your beach dog permit by mail, and the online mail in renewal form is available on our website at:

http://www.waltontaxcollector.com/default.aspx?id=32

You will simply need to provide a copy of the current rabies vaccination.

I have no advice for anyone who plans to violate the ordinance, but will wish you good luck and a Happy Thanksgiving in beautiful Walton County.

Cory Godwin
Chief Deputy Tax Collector

[Beach Runner]

You can renew your beach dog permit by mail, and the online mail in renewal form is available on our website at:

http://www.waltontaxcollector.com/default.aspx?id=32

Thanks!