Merilieu
It’s interesting that no one has brought up the effect of dogs on the beach on the environment. I’m just going to paste this here, for purposes of education and (optimistically) enlightenment, of all dog owners:
The evidence that dogs negatively impact wildlife is overwhelming. It is clear that people with dogs – on
leash or off – are much more detrimental to wildlife than people without dogs. Dogs (Canis lupus
familiaris) are considered to be a subspecies of wolves (Canis lupus), and wildlife perceive dogs as
(30)
predators.
Impacts include:
1. Physical and temporal displacement – The presence of dogs causes wildlife to move away, temporarily or permanently reducing the amount of available habitat in which to feed, breed and rest. Animals become less active during the day to avoid dog interactions. Furthermore, the scent of dogs repels wildlife and the effects remain after the dogs are gone.
2. Disturbance and stress response – Animals are alarmed and cease their routine activities. This increases the amount of energy they use, while simultaneously reducing their opportunities to feed. Repeated stress causes long-term impacts on wildlife including reduced reproduction and growth, suppressed immune system and increased vulnerability to disease and parasites.
3. Indirect and direct mortality – Dogs transmit diseases (such as canine distemper and rabies) to and from wildlife. Loose dogs kill wildlife.
4. Human disease and water quality impacts – Dog waste pollutes water and transmits harmful parasites and diseases to people.
Please note, your dogs’ scent, and therefore its negative effects, remain long after you go home.