Taking the pet raccoon for a walk on Indian Rocks Beach????
You just never know what you’re going to run into on the beach. We stepped out onto Indian Rocks Beach and saw a family with a young raccoon in tow. Indian Rocks Beach does not allow pets on the beach. However, some folks don’t pay any attention to the rules as we saw dogs on the beach as well.
Dogs are not allowed on Indian Rocks Beach, except by people who ignore the rules.
It's true, pets are not allowed on Indian Rocks Beach. Note the symbol at the lower left corner of this sign at an Indian Rocks Beach access: Pets prohibited. I didn't make the rule, so don't get mad at me. I'm just reporting on it.
Here’s the text of the Indian Rocks Beach Municipal Code that prohibits pets on the beach:
Sec. 74-62. Animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, have, or allow any dog, cat or any other domesticated or wild animals in his possession, custody or control at any time anywhere on the beach within the city. Service animals providing accommodation to the disabled are exempt from this section.
(Code 1989, §§ 4-29, 11-57; Ord. No. 591, § 1, 1-2-1996)
If you’d like to complain about the rules, call the City of Indian Rocks Beach. Here is the Indian Rocks Beach website with their contact information: http://www.indian-rocks-beach.com/contact.php
Don’t waste your breath complaining to me. I don’t make the rules, but I definitely support them. Pinellas County has excellent beaches where you can take your dog. For instance, Fort Desoto County Park has an excellent doggy beach as well as a large fenced enclosure and a doggy rinse-off shower. It is the only County park where dogs are allowed out on the beach. However, Honeymoon Island State Park has an excellent doggy beach at the northern reaches of the county. Here is a link to the Honeymoon Island Pet Policy http://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland/docs/HoneymoonPetPolicy.pdf. It opens as a pdf document. Here is a list of beaches and parks where you can take your doggy: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/paw_playgrounds.htm
Now go and have fun!
