Dog Rules1/10 
Dog Rules2/10 
April3/10 
Boardwalk Tuff Guy4/10 
Butchie5/10 
Gracie6/10 
Dog Rules7/10 
Lucky8/10 
Sam9/10 
Shofer10/10
The August, 2019 dust-up over live animals in restaurants (inside and outside) resulted in a flood of emails complaining about the “new” law. It's NOT new,
HOWEVER (and partially as a result of an article (link below) I wrote last year for Cape Gazette), dogs are now permitted in OUTSIDE DINING AREAS ONLY. And the ultimate decision to do this is entirely up to the restaurant owner. I have reprinted last year's column from Cape Gazette for your perusal. All of the suggestions I made were adopted by the DE lawmakers (to be fair, they were considering these things before I wrote the article). So if you want to bring your puppydog onto an outdoor dining area, I suggest you call the restaurant first just to make sure.
CLICK HERE to see my 9/20/19 Cape Gazette column addressing the dogs in restaurants controversy.
OK. Back to business: I get many emails asking me about where dogs are allowed and where they are not, so here goes:
DOGS ON THE BEACH
Rehoboth Beach
Dogs are prohibited on the beach and the boardwalk from May 1 to September 30.
Dewey Beach
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round by special license. From May 15 to September 15, dogs are only allowed on the beach before 9:30 am and after 5:30 pm. During the off-season, dogs can be off-leash, but must be under your control and be cleaned up after.
A license can be obtained during business hours at 105 Rodney Ave. for $35 for life (the dog's, not yours), or an 8-day license for $10, or $5 for a weekend from 5:30p Friday to midnight Sunday – per pooch.
Bethany Beach
Dogs are prohibited on the beach and boardwalk from May 15 to September 30. Dogs must be on leash in town.
Lewes
Dogs are prohibited from all beaches between 8 am and 6:30 pm from May 1 to September 30.
Prime Hook
Dogs are allowed on trails and throughout the park. They must be under the owner's control, leashed and properly poop scooped.
Delaware State Parks
Dogs are allowed in the parks. But between May 1 to September 30, they are prohibited from beaches where sunbathing, swimming, sailboarding or surfing take place. Shorebird nesting areas are also off-limits. Details may be found at destateparks.com/rules/pets.asp.
DOG PARKS
Lewes: Lewes has a particularly nice dog park. It‘s located in the newly named “Great Marsh Park” back by the wind turbine. To get there from New Road, turn onto Park Road and take the first right hand turn on to Great Marsh Circle. That road leads to a cul-de-sac where cars park for dog park access. There is a nominal feel to join, but my good friend Barklee says that the fee is well worth it. Sign up for membership HERE.
See more about the Lewes Dog Park HERE.
Milford: The Milford Bark Park is also popular. It is an off leash fenced park where pups can meet and play. It features covered benches, water fountains and picnic tables. See more HERE.
Ocean City: The Ocean City Dog Playground is located at 799 94th St. (bayside) there is a nice dog park. There is a small dog area for dogs 28 pounds and under, and a large dog area for over 28 pounds. Applications and passes may be obtained between 8:30am-5pm from the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department front desk, located at 200 125th, Ocean City, Md 21842, Fees to use the park range from an annual pass for $50 p/p (per puppy) to $15 for 7 days. Purchasers are provided an access card that provides access to the playground. If the card is returned at the end of the payment period, $5 is refunded. More info HERE.
Millsboro: This is a fenced venue to walk and run in the heart of Millsboro. It's located on 3.5-acres off Wilson Highway across from Town Hall. See more HERE.
DOGS IN RESTAURANTS
Dogs are allowed in OUTSIDE DINING AREAS ONLY, and only if the restaurant management/ownership permits it. See my 2019 column in the Cape Gazette.
