"If you don't mind throwing tennis balls for eternity, I do have an opening in doggie heaven."   
                                                                                                           - St. Peter, Frank and Ernest comic strip

In Rhode Island, leashed dogs are permitted on all state bathing beaches and in Burlingame picnic area between September 30th and April 1st.  Fortunately, there are also several access points that will allow you to take your pup for a swim throughout the summer months when public bathing beaches are closed to dogs. These include fishing areas, boat ramps, and other public shoreline points not posted with "No Dogs" signage. Some of the most accessible include:

Newport - Kings Point Park, Brenton Point, Wetmore Road (off Ruggles Ave) 

East Providence - Crescent Park at Bullock's Point

Jamestown - Fort Wetherill, Mackeral Cove 

Bristol - Narrows Road, Hope Street Beach, Colt State Park

Barrington - RISD Farm

Portsmouth - Sandy Point Beach, Pirates' Cove 

Narragansett  - South Ferry Road Beach, Narrow River at Sprague Bridge

North Kingstown - Quonset Point, Rome Point

Block Island - Ballard's Beach, Black Rock Beach, Crescent Beach

Please note that dogs are banned year round on Hope Island in the West Passage, East Island and West Island off Sakonnet Point, and on Gould Island in the East Passage, except by special permit. Effective April 4th 2004, dogs are no longer permitted in the Ninigret or Sachuset Point National Wildlife Refuges. 

A trip to the beach can be a very rewarding way to spend quality time with your dog. It is important to remember, however, that the beach is shared with other people, pets, and wildlife. Ordinances regarding dogs on the beach vary widely. Most municipalities require that dogs be kept off the beach during certain hours of the day and/or certain times of the year. Some only allow dogs on specific beaches and others have banned dogs altogether. All require that your dog remain on a leash. Violators risk being fined, so it is best to check local laws before bringing along your canine companion. For  ordinances governing dogs on your town beach contact the local police department.

Why does my dog need to be on a leash?
In areas that dogs are allowed they should be kept on leash. This is for your dog's safety and for the safety of other beachgoers and wildlife. It will also help you avoid both a ticket and a steep fine.

Shorebirds

If you are going to a remote beach or planning a trip during the nesting season leave your dog at home. Dogs are effective predators and often disturb shorebirds that are nesting in the sand.  The  Piping Plover, a federally threatened species,  nests on several Rhode Island beaches including those in Barrington, Newport, Narragansett, and Charlestown. Dogs can crush or eat young chicks or flush the parents off nests allowing other predators, such as gulls, easy access to them. 

Do not allow your dog to chase birds on the beach.  Several species of birds use Rhode Island beaches as critical stopovers during their long migrations.  When forced to flee from dogs, birds expend extra calories and dip into their fat reserves. Chronic disturbance of resting birds can compromise their health and burns valuable energy needed for migration.

Encountering other dogs

While we all like to think that our dogs are well mannered, it is important to remember that the canine social structure is quite different from that of humans.  Anywhere that large numbers of dogs congregate the occasional fight is inevitable. Keeping your dog on a leash will minimize negative encounters with other dogs and give you better control of your pet if they are involved in a scuffle. Dogs with a history of aggression are best left at home.

Why do I need to pick up after my dog? Won't the tide wash it away?

Yes, the tide will wash it away...and that's the problem. Recently, dog waste on the beach has received a lot of attention. Not only is it unpleasant for other beachgoers, but it also poses a very real health threat to swimmers, surfers, other dogs, and wildlife.  Fecal coliform bacteria in seawater, tied to dog waste on the beach, can make people and animals very ill. To ensure that your dog is not contributing to this problem, always clean up after your pet and deposit waste in an appropriate trash receptacle. Keeping our beaches free of pet waste will help ensure that these areas continue to allow dogs.

·         Make sure there is access to plenty of fresh water and shade.

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