Hilton Head protects dogs’ right to go off leash on the beach. But that almost wasn’t the case

Beachgoers with dogs have come to know a certain sense of freedom — not having to have their four-legged companions on a leash. What could be more Hilton Head than throwing a frisbee to your dog?

But when Beaufort County adopted new codes that would have threatened that, town officials sprang into action to preserve it.

Hilton Head resident Joe Becerra said his dog, Zorro, goes off leash on the beach practically everyday. “It’s a morning ritual,” said Becerra. “He loves walking on the beach, running in and out of the water.”

After negotiations in recent days, the town of Hilton Head Island and Beaufort County have reached an agreement that enables the town to adopt the county’s new animal control codes while still allowing dogs on the beaches to stay off leash during the permitted times.

Here’s how it came about

In 2019, the state amended its animal codes making it so that that any dog not physically controlled by their owner would be considered “running at large,” and subject to a fine. This would apply to state property.

Beaufort County adopted the state laws into its own codes in April, which meant all dogs when away from their homes must be on leashes, including the beaches on Hilton Head Island.

The county asked municipalities to adopt the codes as well in an effort to make animal control enforcement uniform across the county. When the code changes were brought to the Town Council’s Community Services and Public Safety Committee’s meeting on July 25, the committee supported adopting the code changes, provided they were modified to allow leash laws on the beach to remain the same.

Without the agreement, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office could have enforced the county’s more-restrictive laws on the beaches.

Currently, dogs on the beach must be on a leash or under voice control between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and are not allowed on the beaches between the same hours during tourist season, roughly between Memorial Day and Labor Day. From October through March, dogs can be on the beach, leash or voice control, all day. These restrictions will remain in place.

“We have a system that’s been working and people are satisfied with it, ‘‘ Hilton Head Island Town Councilwoman Tamara Becker said. “I can’t imagine why we would want to change something that Hilton Head residents have grown accustomed to.”

The town is expected to adopt the code changes, but with an exception for dogs on the beach. That means homeowners who walk their dogs or take them to the park must have them on a leash.

“Currently, the town has ordinances in place regulating the public beaches, including a section on when it is permissible for a dog to be off-leash,” said Chris Ophardt, Beaufort County spokesman. “The county recognizes the town’s desire to allow dogs to run safely on town beaches off-leash, and the county is working cooperatively with the town to ensure that the intergovernmental agreement and all ordinances are appropriately implemented and enforced.”

Violations carry hefty fine

Under the new county law, letting a dog off its leash away from home can result in a misdemeanor and a $50 fine for a first offense and up to $100 for any subsequent offense, the law says.

“I certainly don’t wish to have a punitive action put upon me simply because my dog wants to enjoy the beach,” said Becerra. “If enacted, it would make our enjoyment of living here on Hilton Head less enjoyable.”

The modified code changes are expected to be on the Hilton Head Island Town Council’s agenda Sept. 20.

Dog parks aren’t affected by the law as they’re fenced and controlled areas where dogs are expected to be off leash and able to run free.

Resident Clarissa Shaffer meets with her brother and friends at least once a week to let their dogs play on the beach.

“Our free time revolves around going to the beach with the dogs or taking the dogs to the park or taking the dog somewhere to swim,” said Shaffer.

Becker said many people don’t have a yard for their dog to run freely, or have backyards where there’s a lagoon that might be inhabited by alligators.

“The beach is really a place of freedom,” she said.

Janice Geier, another Hilton Head resident, has such a lagoon in her backyard. When her beagle, Rodney, is in the backyard, she has to keep a watchful eye.

“When you have alligators in your backyard, they [dogs] need some place to be able to get a good run,” said Geier.” If he doesn’t get his exercise, he can act out at home, but if I get him to the beach in the morning, he’s an angel.”

This story was originally published August 25, 2022 at 2:26 PM.