EDITORIAL

Dogs aren’t allowed to run loose in Newport Beach. That’s the city’s

leash law. Owners must have a leash on their canines at all times and

must hold onto it.

The issue that sprang up in March, however, questions whether a dog

can swim in the ocean without a leash. The law includes the beach, but

does it include the ocean?

The city said yes, and a court agreed. But thanks to Lynne and Philip

Butterfield and their dog, Red Baron, other residents have taken issue

with the law.

The truth is there are dogs that give their fellow canines a bad name.

Based on that, however, the city should not ban dogs from frolicking in

the ocean. There are responsible dogs and owners out there whose freedoms

should not be entirely limited.

Does that mean that dogs should be allowed to play along the beach and

in the water without a leash all the time? No. A couple of Newport-Mesa

residents have suggested, and we agree, that a blackball system should be

set.

Just as only bodysurfers are allowed at the Wedge from now until early

September, only people should be allowed at the city’s beaches during

peak hours.

So, between 6 and 9 a.m. daily from May to early October, dogs should

be allowed to frolic in the water sans leash. During the cooler months,

most people aren’t hitting the beach, so dogs should be given their

freedom throughout the day on weekdays and between the same morning hours

on weekends.

When it comes to evening hours, however, canines should have their fun

an hour before sunset from late October to late April. During the summer,

they’ll just have to stay high and dry at night.

While many residents will still not be satisfied by such a compromise,

it would be a much better hand than what they’re dealt now. And we’re

sure Newport-Mesa’s dogs would love to eat out of that hand.