dogs riparian rights ?

[katricol]

I know people have the right to walk up to the high-water mark, even on private ocean property, but do dogs have the same right? At nappatree in Rhode Island they have uniformed naturalists patrolling to keep you from walking your dog between 8 am and 6 pm. The guy was pretty rude to me, and clearly was enjoying himself. He even told me there was not a landing in the town of Watch Hill where I could take my little buddy! Well there is a dinghy dock and a dog-walking area complete with dog bags so it's not a major problem. So my wife says to me "they can't prevent you as long as you stay close" Hmmmmm If I have him on a leash does he have the same rights as me? I would love to tell this guy to go ahead and call the police on me so I could exercise my rights.

 

[mddickens]

I found the following: http://www.thewatchhillconservancy.org/projects.html

There seem to be definite rules there until Labor Day...read about 1/2 down

 

[katricol]

Right...I know the rules. I am talking about the fact that nobody owns the water which is essentially UP TO the high-water mark.

 

[Henry Boyd]

In Massachusetts, the law which dates back to colonial times allows access for hunting and fishing as the specific reason for allowing access in the tidal zone. The loophole for beachgoers in some communities has been to carry fishing rods to establish the validity of their access. By extension, if you took the position your dog was a hunting dog, you might be able to make a case.

That being said there might be other issues involved. We have a state park near us that limits the access of dogs because the park is also a deer sanctuary and they are afraid of dogs running down the deer.

Henry

 

[Weave]

If I'm not mistaken the Napatree beach area is a bird sanctuary and therefore prohibiting your dog.....I love the area but sometimes the people are very unfriendly and quite stuffy.
Bring your little buddy over to Sandy Point.

 

[katricol]

Weave, it is a bird/nature area,but sandy point is shallow for my boat. I bring him into Watch Hill. Henry makes it sound like it's not cut-and -dry issue

 

[katricol]

Any attorney's out there?