Delve into 12: Dogs: Longboat Beach Access?

Max Goldner doesn’t know that he’s been the subject of Longboat Key Town Hall debates and front-page newspaper articles. But the 5-year-old Wheaton terrier’s owners, Nelson and Laurin Goldner, are aware of the pup’s growing prominence. Take Laurin Goldner’s recent trip to the Longboat Key Post Office. An employee spotted the name “Goldner” on the parcel and asked, “Are you Max’s mom?”

Max has become the face of the most dogged debate to hit Town Hall this year: Should dogs be given some form of access to Longboat Key’s beaches? And in 2012, Max and other dogs could get a “yes” or “no” answer from the Longboat Key Town Commission.

The debate began after Nelson Goldner emailed Vice Mayor David Brenner in July about the fun Max was having on the beach at his summer home on Long Island, N.Y., and suggested that he would enjoy the beach at home on the Key. Brenner agreed to put the idea on a future workshop agenda. Max and his quest to sniff out beach access made the front page of the Longboat Observer. And, soon after, residents were hounding commissioners with emails both in support of and against the idea.

At an Oct. 20 workshop, the commission agreed to form the Dog Beach Feasibility Committee to study the issue. After the workshop, the commission agreed to remove itself from the issue and allow the committee, which consists of seven residents, including both supporters and opponents, to report back to the commission with a suggestion.

But Max clearly isn’t the only canine with a dog in the fight for beach access. Havanese dogs Tia and Kirby appeared with their mom, Jackie Salvino, on local TV news to express support for allowing dogs on the beach. John Wild expressed support to the commission wearing a T-shirt that read: “He’s not my Pet, I’m his Human” — a likely reference to his beagle, Ripley. And Shannon Gault held her miniature pincher, B.B., and spoke to the commission on B.B.’s behalf: “She promises to be a very, very good girl on the beach.”

But to other animals, the dogs may be barking up the wrong Key.

Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission say that dogs can adversely impact shorebird nesting; Mote Marine Laboratory scientists say that turtle-nest predation has been problematic on other beaches on which dogs have been allowed. Opponents have also argued that dogs can create health-and-safety issues and that some dog owners might not clean up after their pets.

According to Goldner, a committee member, the committee is researching all issues involved to make sure that commissioners have all the information they need to make their decision. She estimates that the committee could have a proposal to take to the commission by February.

As for Max, he recently got a day at the beach when his parents took him to Fort de Soto beach in Pinellas County on Thanksgiving Day. He ate turkey-and-sweet potato treats there and even shared with the other dogs. Laurin Goldner said that he would enjoy spending next Thanksgiving Day at a Longboat Key beach.

“Even though he loves to go in the car, he would like to go to the beach without the hour and 15 minute car ride,” she said.

Fast fact: The Longboat Key Town Commission considered creating a dog park at Joan M. Durante Park in 2007, but put the decision on hold. Dogs are allowed at the park and have access to doggie water fountains but are required to stay on their leashes.

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