Pensacola Beach's new, full-time animal control officer enforces beach dog park rules

This story has been updated to reflect that only Escambia County residents need to have a county license for their dogs to enter the beach dog parks.

Entering a Pensacola Beach dog park early Tuesday, a Colorado man immediately unleashed his dog and watched it run toward the water.

Before the large dog reached the water, it defecated in the sand. The man did not pick up the mess.

Susan Watson, the beach's new animal control officer, quickly responded by writing the man a ticket for violating dog park rules. The six signs posted in the parking lot, on the walkway to the beach and on the beach itself should have provided sufficient warning that the park rules would be enforced, Watson told the disgruntled beach goer.

Dog owners are required to keep their dogs on leashes at the beach parks, pick up after their dogs and make sure their dogs have proof of current rabies vaccinations. Escambia County residents must have an Escambia County animal license.

"People often tell me they didn't see the signs or they weren't aware of the rules, but ignorance of the law is no excuse," said Watson, a former Alabama sheriff's deputy who also has a background in dog grooming.

Another rule — beach dog parks are for dogs only. Watson has had to tell numerous cat owners that their pets are not welcome at the dog beach, even on leashes. She recently ran off a family with a pet skunk on the beach.

"Bringing any sort of pet that could become dinner for the dogs isn't a good idea," she laughed.

Watson, an animal lover, said her days patrolling the beach have also given her a deeper appreciation of the bond between people and their pets. She met one man who comes to the beach with his dog's ashes.

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Escambia County and the Santa Rosa Island Authority decided to invest in a full-time animal control officer to patrol eight miles of sandy beach after a deluge of complaints about dogs in areas outside of the two dog parks and about people not picking up after their dogs.

Watson was the perfect fit for the job, said Kevin Monfreda, the county's animal control supervisor.

"She wanted to be out here and it made sense for us to have someone out here full time because they were getting a lot of calls at the island authority," said Monfreda, who encouraged beach visitors to educate themselves about the rules before bringing their dogs to the beach.

Watson said she writes at least a couple of tickets every day. Tickets can range from $50 to $500, depending on the nature of the violation and whether it is a repeat offense.

Watson sets her own hours but is out on the beach most days. It is easier to catch violators if she doesn't have a set routine, said Watson, who added that her job is about much more than writing tickets.

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Watson greets dog park visitors, answers any questions they might have about the parks and responds to other animal-related calls in neighborhoods on the beach.

She carries a bag of treats in the back of her ATV for the dogs.

Most dog owners are cooperative when she tells them about the regulations, she said. If they become difficult, she calls the beach sheriff's deputies for backup.

Paolo Ghio, director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, said during a recent meeting that he has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from beach residents and visitors about Watson's presence at the beach during the last month.

"She is trying to change people's mindsets, and it is working," Ghio told beach leaders.

Lara Haggerty and her 2-year-old beagle, Jax, are dog beach regulars. Haggerty said she makes sure Jax is wearing his license and rabies tag whenever he comes to the park and that he is always on his leash.

"He just likes to sit and watch the water," she said. "Sometimes it is a hindrance not to be able to let him off the leash, but I see why that could a problem."

Jim Fontenot and his 8-year-old Bichon Frise, Bella, are also dog beach regulars. Fontenot, who lives just blocks from the dog beach, said he appreciates having a full-time animal control officer.

"We come here at least twice a week, and I think it's good to have an officer out here," Fontenot said as tiny Bella situated herself on the sand.

Melissa Nelson Gabriel can be reached at mnelsongab@pnj.com or 850-426-1431.

Beach dog park rules and tips