New Laws About Dogs and Fireworks Are ApprovedBy Anne McKay GarrisAt the June 18 Clearwater City Council meeting, council members finalized two laws directly concerning Clearwater Beach. Responding to input from the Audubon Society, both laws are aimed at protecting and encouraging the feathered wildlife on the beach. Because the presence of dogs running loose on the beach has been found to be destructive to the birds and their nesting needs, the new law requires that, between Somerset Street and Caladesi Island, dogs on the beach must be on a leash at all times. This includes whether they are in the water or on the beach sand. The change in the law also adds Clearwater Beach to a list of areas in Clearwater where owners are required, by law, to "remove all feces deposited by such animal and dispose of same in a sanitary manner." "This," some regular users of Clearwater Beach would be tempted to add, "does not mean shoveled into the water." No penalty for disobedience of the law is included, nor does it take note of the fact that the public accesses to the beach are posted, and dogs are not allowed there, regardless. Also at the June 18 meeting, the Council finalized an ordinance which states that no permit to use, possess, store, manufacture, sell or discharge fireworks on Clearwater Beach will be issued between February 1 and August 31 of any year, in the area between Somerset Street to the northern most boundary of Clearwater Beach. This change to the fire works ordinance was also instigated as a result of the Audubon report on endangered birds on Clearwater Beach. Both ordinances are effective as of this week.
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