Rancho PV Nixes Dog Beach

The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council voted April 3 to curtail a one-year pilot dog beach program. Since the pilot program was approved in February, many dog owners have descended on the newly established off-leash area near the Trump National Golf Club.

In letters and testimony submitted to the council, several local area residents and businesses complained to the city about the impacts of increased traffic and having dogs running on nearby trails. Heal the Bay sent a letter to the council urging its members to reconsider the pilot program because of concerns about potential water quality issues related to dog droppings left behind by less thoughtful owners.

Many staffers at Heal the Bay are dog owners or dog lovers, so we understand the desire for people to spend time with their pets outdoors. However, Heal the Bay and the NRDC have counseled local elected officials not to place off-leash dog parks near the shoreline or in areas where canines will impact local bird populations. We continue to work with local cities to develop solutions that will allow dog owners to enjoy the outdoors with their animals but not negatively impact public health.