Council to hear more about dog ordinance compromise

The Laguna Beach City Council will be asked Tuesday to allow dog owners to have more time on city beaches with their pets.

Recommendations by the Recreation Committee include letting dogs on leashes on the beaches until 9 a.m., starting June 15, an hour longer and about two weeks later than the current rule.

“I wanted to let the dogs on the beach until 10 a.m., but the lifeguards made the case that they are on duty on some beaches by 9,” said newly appointed committee member Stacy Dugger, who is working on a draft ordinance to be presented to the council.

Dugger said the June 15 date is more in line with school and lifeguard schedules.

The committee is also recommending that the summer restrictions end Sept. 10 rather than Sept. 16.

“I brought this forward to the council as a private citizen,” Dugger said. “But as I got more [into it], I decided to get more formally involved.”

The current ordinance bars dogs from the beaches from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer months. The committee has not requested a change in the evening restriction, when beaches are still crowed with visitors. However, far fewer tourists are on the beaches in the morning and the committee feels it has come up with a fair compromise.

From September to June, dogs on leashes are allowed on the beaches until 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.