When Spike and I lived in Washington, DC, we were paid members of the Congressional Cemetery. Marblehead ought to have such a program.Here's a paragraph from their site:
"Membership in the K9 Corps runs from March 1st to the last day in February the following year. Memberships are non-transferrable. The membership fee is a $200 tax deductible donation per family, and a $50 per dog fee, with maximum of three dogs. Members are also asked to volunteer at least 12 hours per year. We offer many types of volunteer work from gardening, to policing the grounds, to archiving, to hosting at events. "
Our cemeteries would be more vibrant and interesting if we had a paid K9 Corps.

Really sick of people using Fort Sewall as a romping place for unleashed pets. Its a historical monument, with many out of town visitors, young children, elderly folks who stroll and picnic. And then in comes the dog folks, turning lose their dogs to play fetch, fight other dogs, defecate on the grass, and otherwise "take over". There are groups of citizens who have "puppy play group meet-ups" there! Lots of barking and screaming owners trying to regain control. Never have seen anyone from animal control or police patrol or ticket there.

Well the people that are so concerned about the dogs should take a look around at themselves. I use to go to Seaside Park and to the Beach. When at the beach, in general I would pick up 20lbs of garbage left but the inconsiderate humans. I don't think I generally saw too many others doing the same thing, they would just rather sit in their garbage. At Seaside I would be there in the mornings and find again all sorts of garbage, tons of beer bottles and cans, broken glass, left bikes and cell phones. I would constantly call the police department across the street about this or take lost/stolen items there. I also picked up tons of the garbage that was left along with anything that my dogs left. I called numerous times about condoms that were left on the kids playground, that took 5 days for the Parks Dept to come and pick up.

If the humans spent more time picking up after themselves or others who trash the parks and beaches, maybe they would have something to complain about. Take care of yourselves before you worry about others. In the meantime I will continue to take my dogs out of town for their runs, where they are accepted much than they are here in town.

Being someone who is deathly afraid of dogs, I fear everytime i walk down the street that I will encounter someone's unleashed dog; and if one more dog owner says, "oh, my dog won't hurt anyone" I'm going to scream. It doesn't matter and quite frankly is not comforting when you have that fear. I get that you love your pets, but not everyone does. Show a little respect for the people who aren't animal lovers. I agree there should be designated places for dog owners to take their dogs to run free - who would want to be on a leash all day. A few places that no one should bring their dogs - restaurants and retail stores. I want to enjoy these places as well and can't really if there is a dog in tow. Sorry, I don't think there is anything cute about someone arriving with their dog in a tote bag not to mention the sanitary issues. Dogs should never be allowed on public beaches leashed or unleased. Kids play in the sand, not all dog owners clean up after their dogs. In California no dogs are ever allowed on the beaches (stiff fines) and look at how beautiful those beaches are. Northing worse then relaxing at the beach only to have an unleashed dog pounding it's way toward you in the sand! Pretty regular occurance at the beaches in Marblehead and Swampscott. Kind of limits the desire to go to the beach. All about respect for others. What happened to respect something that went out with the idea that in this Town a Stop Sign actually means Stop?

I have a dog and I think Mrblehead is a dog friendly town. I dont like seeing all the dog "gifts” left behind. Its completely not necessary. They sell the bag holders that you can attach to the leash. As far as a leash law I think it is necessary not only for the safety our our childrn but for the safety of our dogs. I think M'head is a very dog friendly town. I think they must start enforcing the fines. There is no reason someone cant pickup after dogs.

And in Nantucket they allow dogs on the beaches, up until 9am in the morning and after 6pm in the evening.

And as I said before if dogs were the only ones leaving things on the ground or beaches, people might have a point. I don't see too many comments about people leaving garbage on the playing fields and beaches. I clean up after my dog, maybe people should clean up after themselves!

We volunteer for Park and Rec. We try to make sure the plastic Bags used for pooper scooping are available in the containers provided by the town at Crocker Park and Fort Sewall. I say "try", because on occasion the boxes are empty even though we have filled the box a few hours earlier--we suspect someone takes them for their own trash! That being said, it is not the dogs that are the problem. It is the owners. Many times we have reminded dog owners that their dog needs to be on a leash and not running free to jump on other dogs and people--especially bothersome in wet weather. We have been insulted by dog owners, threatened with harassment suits and generally told to mind our own business. I have seen dog owners hook up when reminded of the leash laws and as soon as our backs are turned, they unhook the dog. Anybody have any suggestions as how to handle these very rude people?

Summary Execution, June. Changing attitudes is very difficult, but it is impossible or nearly so to modify attitudes and behavior of rude people and scofflaws. I think the best approach is direct, face to face. The New England way. Dogs off the leash in populated areas and beaches constitute a real danger. I was bitten by a loose German Shepherd at the intersection of Pleasant and Washington a few years ago, and it resulted in quarantine. Beautiful, young dog with a great attitude, just got spooked. I like the idea of beach times for loose dogs - during the time when there are people, particularly young children, on the beach loose dogs are unbelievably dangerous, if for no other reason than the likelihood of a collision. Both my wife and I love dogs, though for practical reasons we currently have no canine companion. Dog owners can solve the problems they create by simply engaging in polite behavior. Janice Brown has the right to walk down our streets without fear - it's the responsibility of dog owners to make sure she can. People considering dog ownership should give pause, take into account their surroundings, available facilities and the needs of particular breeds. Marblehead is probably not the right place for a Saluki. Craig - keep picking up the trash. I do it here when I'm out (always carry a bag) and almost every day in BC when I'm there. Don't understand why people trash, but do know it will never change.

I'm so tired of reading people's complaints about dog feces left at parks and beaches and using it as an excuse to "crack down" on dog owners. Take one look around any of the beaches and parks here in town (especially Devereux Beach & Seaside Park) and it's clearly not the dogs who create an ugly and unhealthy environment. It's not feces I see but bottles, cans, paper trash, cig butts, food, broken glass. I'll guarantee the dogs didn't haul that garbage in there and leave it for others to take care of. I won't even take visiting guests to Devereux Beach because it is an embarrassment. True, there is the occasional dog owner who is completely irresponsible and leaves their disgusting mess for others to find, but I walk this town and it is not as common an occurrence as some would make it seem.

While I fully agree that dogs don't belong on beaches during the day in the summer months and shouldn't be at the ballparks when the kids are playing & crowds are plenty, I think this town could stand to be a lot more accepting of the fact that dogs do need to run and socialize to be healthy (physically & emotionally). One grass-less dog park is not a sufficient answer.

Last thing, for those "deathly afraid of dogs", this is a fairly serious issue and if you want to be more relaxed out in the world you should really consider getting some help with it. Remember that the responsibility for you and your health (mental or otherwise) is yours & yours alone.

All of that said, I completely agree with Frank that people need to consider what it means to have a dog in this town, and to carefully consider the needs of a particular breed. Dog owners absolutely need to take responsibility for properly training their pups and making sure they don't invade the space of others while out and about.

It's very simple....if you like dogs....Marblehead is friendly...
If you don't like dogs....well....you get the point...
I have a dog..."Sunshine"...and I clean up after her...and if she barks...I bring her in the house...
Ihave neigbhors that let there dog(s) bark...way too much...and it's annoying..to me, my dog and other neighor..
Bottom line...dogs bark...dog poop...be quite...CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG...
and obey leash laws...PLEASE HAVE RESPECT FOR ALL Marbleheaders !!! and there DOGS...

I am insulted beyond belief that my mental health came into question. I clearly stated that I respect people who love their pets - I don't question their mental health for loving dogs, why would you question mine for not liking dogs. I have been bit 10 times in my life by "dogs that don't bite" to quote their owners- so give me a friggin break about mental health. My mental health is just fine - I just don't like getting bit by an animal whose owner is irresponsible. I never would blame the animal - it's the owner! Regarding trash on the beach - that's a whole other subject - yes all people need to take responsibility for their behavior. I would like to see smoking band on the beaches - it is in parts of California and strictly enforced - again making for the reason that all their beaches are beautiful. Poop, trash, smoke - how does that equal a relaxing day at the beach. Whoever you are vis - you ticked me off.

Janice,
Get a life or go live in California where "There ought to be a law..." Best yet, move to Stockton. It's bankrupt, as is your attitude to go to the nannystate and legislate against anyone who disagrees with you. From dogs to smoking you moonbats are unhappy if SOMEONE SOMEWHERE is having a good time.
I for one would rather have dogs in restaurants (like in Paris) than the drivers on the phone in this town.
And by the way, in California Dogs are allowed on beaches in parts of the state.

I agree with Craig and Samuel. Yesterday I thought I was going to have a head on in Mhead with a younger person on her phone. Thank God she looked up! As for the dogs, I have 3. If they go to the beach its one at a time and on a leash. I don't want them eating someones onion rights (deadly) left behind or someones disgusting condom which on Riverhead there are a lot of or getting cut on broken beer bottles and rarely do I see dogs feces left behind. As for Devereux, well it appears it has been taken over by groups who spend the whole day into early evening there and leave behind food, dirtty diapers, cans bottles and trash. why is it up to the park and rec or the restaurant to pick it up, can't everyone pick up there own? I would hate to go into some of the homes of these people who live stuff behind. I pay real estate taxes that continue to go up and I pay a license fee for my pets and pay to have them have there rabies shots. Especially for the taxes, I should get to walk my dogs in the early evening down the beach at low tide Riverhead only goes so far. Ever hear the ones at Goldthwaite beach complain about dogs?

It seems we have a difference of opinions....and you know what they say about opinions ...we all have them. So it has come to...us or them....dog lovers verse dog haters...repuplicans vs. democrats...black vs white....etc.
Why do WE not have the ability to accept each other as unique individulals and start respecting each other....rather then tearing people down,,,,COME TOGETHER, RIGHT NOW!!!

RE ach:
Wouldn't it make more sense to ban pesticide and chemical lawn fertilizers?
Like all moonbats you would have malaria here like in Africa.