Changes to Rehoboth’s dog regs on beach, Boardwalk shelved

Citing the inability to enforce current rules to a satisfactory level, it doesn’t appear the loosening of dog regulations will happen in Rehoboth Beach anytime soon.

Currently, dogs are allowed on the Boardwalk and beach Oct. 1 through April 30, as long as they are leashed, well behaved and under direct supervision. However, city code prohibits dogs on the beach and Boardwalk from May 1 through Sept. 30.

Earlier this year, the city’s animal issues committee recommended allowing dogs on the Boardwalk until 10 a.m. during the summer months; designating a specific beach area for dogs to run unleashed; and changing the season to match the parking season, which is May 15 to Sept. 15. In response, the city’s beach and boardwalk committee took a vote, with its members against any changes. Ultimately, nothing happened in advance of the 2023 summer season.

The issue was revisited during a commissioner workshop Dec. 4. Commissioner Tim Bennett, chair of the animal issues committee, led the discussion. While the two committees were split, he said, survey data shows people are overwhelmingly in favor loosening of rules. 

Lynne Coan, city communication specialist, said the survey was conducted on the city’s Reach Out Rehoboth platform. No matter how the data is filtered, the majority want dogs on the beach, she said.

Recalling a visit from representatives of the city’s homeowners association earlier in the year, Commissioner Toni Sharp said enforcement is the main issue, and that issue hasn’t been resolved.

Mayor Stan Mills said even if enforcement were improved, he wouldn’t be in favor of changing the rules. People are irresponsible, which is why rules are in place, he said.

Bennett said enforcement isn’t just a problem with dogs, but with a number of issues in the city. That needs to be a bigger discussion, he said.

Rather than put the issue on an agenda for a vote, Mills said he decided to table discussion until other issues related to the subject are resolved.

This is in a holding pattern until then, he said.