Our group has been quiet for a long time, but now is a very good time to re-energize and re-organize!
As many of you know in Scarborough beach access for dog owners is in jeopardy following the death of an endangered bird by a dog on Scarborough Beach. Last year the Scarborough Town Council passed an ordinance that did not allow dogs off leash on any public property including all of the beaches. You can find out more about the beach issues HERE.
This overreaching ordinance was overturned by a citizens referendum with a majority vote of 60-40%. The issues have still not been settled and even though it has been almost a year since the incident on the beach, dog owners in Scarborough continue to work toward a balanced leash law.
Find out more about this issues in Scarborough on the Facebook page for the Dog Owners of Greater Scarborough (DOGS).
For those of you who walk at Hinckley Park you have seen many improvements with repaired trails and the sides of the pond upgraded to prevent more soil erosion. Now with the improvements at Hinckley Park there is some talk of stopping dog access there.
Before the park was properly tended it was seen by many as "left to dogs" and now that it is receiving much needed attention it is seen by some individuals as a place that is too good for residents to walk their dogs.
As always one issue people take with dog owners is that of not picking up after their dogs. We need all dog owners to be responsible and respectful and pick up every time their dog goes. Dozens of dogs walk with their owners in the park daily and if that waste is left there it would quickly become a very large problem.
It is always important to clean up after your dog, and in Hinckley Park dog waste that is not picked up can easily end up in the water of the pond. The water can become contaminated with bacteria and that same water is used by the community gardeners and continues into the Mill Creek Park.
Keeping your dog from digging at parks is very important as well. Again, think of how many dogs and people share the park and how the erosion impacts the parks in the long run (however the beach sand is the perfect place for a digger :)! ).
Keep all of these things in mind when walking with your dog everywhere. Pick up, keep control of your dog and be respectful of the park users and the beauty of the parks so we can enjoy them for years to come!
Please email us at southportlanddog@gmail.com and say "add me to your newsletter list" so we can keep in touch with you if issues arise and to keep you aware of clean ups and other events that come up in South Portland for dog owners.
Thanks again for your responsible behavior while enjoying the beach and parks with your dog!
Crystal Goodrich and SoPoDOG
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