Falmouth Beach Committee Rethinks Plan To Fine $500 For Off-Leash Dogs

A pair of dogs run lose at Falmouth Heights Beach in this Enterprise file photo from January. The Beach Committee wants to meet with the Select Board to discuss ways to get pet owners to comply with the town’s bylaw concerning dogs on town beaches. ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTOGRAPH/GENE M.MARCHAND               

“Falmouth Beach Committee Rethinks Plan To Fine $500 For Off-Leash Dogs”

(From The Falmouth Enterprise published Friday, June 20, 2025 (and online photo), pages 1 & 14, by Devin Ankeney.) 

The Beach Committee this week decided to rethink its plan to push for a stiffer fine for people who let their dogs off-leash on Falmouth’s beaches.

Last month, the committee resolved to recommend that the Select Board raise the $50 dogs-on-beaches fine to $500.

Now, after a sizable backlash from members of the community, the committee is pulling back that recommendation in favor of pursuing public meetings and discussions, and a more agreeable way to encourage pet owners to comply with the town’s bylaw.

From May 1 to October 1, dogs are not allowed at all on the town’s public beaches. During the colder months, dogs can go to the beaches, but must be kept on leash.

In its meeting Wednesday, June 18, the Beach Committee unanimously voted to hold off on last month’s recommendation, instead looking to ask the select board for a joint meeting to discuss dogs on beaches. The committee said it wants to find the best way to bridge the gap between those who want no dogs, and those who want a beach to which they can bring their dogs.

Chairwoman Barbara P. Schneider said that after reading all the letters to the editor sent to the Enterprise opposing the fine increase, along with postings on social media and emails in her inbox, she felt that meeting to discuss the matter with the Select Board was the better plan.

Schneider went on to say she has heard community feedback from people who want a beach for dogs to visit, people who do not want dogs on any beaches and one person who said she thinks people will use Chapoquoit Beach for their dogs regardless of what happens. Thus, Schneider said, the Beach Committee should change course.

Vice chairman Joseph Strazzulla said that taking a longer time to come up with an enforcement is adequate, adding that the discussion surrounding a dog-on-beach fine alone will impact the rate of people breaking the town’s bylaw disallowing dogs on beaches.

“Even our [past] action of saying we would recommend a $500 [fine] to even be considered by the Select Board, that has heightened awareness,” Strazzulla said, suggesting more public discourse will help quell the issue of dogs on beaches against the town’s bylaws in the meantime. “It also reduces the friction for the animal control officers, because the more people talk about it, the less they have to explain.”

Animal control, not the police department, enforces the current $50 fine levied when someone brings their dog to a town beach.