COUNTYWIDE : 2 Beaches May Be Opened to Dogs

The Ventura County Animal Regulation Department has proposed that dog owners be allowed to bring their pets to two county beaches beginning in August, but only if they bring along containers to clean up after them.

The County Board of Supervisors will consider Tuesday whether to permit dog owners to take their pets to Silver Strand and Hollywood beaches, two-mile-long stretches of coastline near Oxnard, between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m., beginning Aug. 9.

Since 1977, dogs have been prohibited on these and all other beaches in the county except the Oxnard city beach.

The proposal was introduced because “the whole beach community has changed from rental units and a transient population” to more permanent families, said Animal Regulation Department Director Kathy Jenks. “It’s been a change of attitudes in residents.”

The same ordinance will also require pet owners to bring along “a wrapper, bag or container (other than articles of personal clothing) suitable for the purpose of picking up and removing the feces of such dog or cat.” This new rule will apply not only at beaches, but in all other public areas as well.

Pet owners could be cited if they take their dogs or cats for a walk without bringing along cleanup material. “Show us the little pooper scooper bag” to avoid citation, Jenks said. “The dogs need their exercise, but we need to do it responsibly,” she said.