By Nate Jones

Staff Writer 

For the last few years, complaints from property owners near Willard Beach in South Portland about the overwhelming presence of dogs in their neighborhood have become synonymous with the arrival of warmer weather.

This spring is no exception, and in response to complaints from several Willard Beach residents, the city council is considering taking another look at the dog laws on one of South Portland’s most popular public beaches.

“Will we ever stop hearing the stories on Willard Beach?” Councilor Maxine Beecher asked. “Have we gone far enough?”

Devon Gray said despite the council’s promises that ordinances concerning pet control and waste cleanup would be enforced this summer, he had witnessed “openly hostile scofflaws” showing disregard for the law near his home on Beach Street.

“The laws are just not being enforced,” he said. 

Self-proclaimed dog lover John Gillick said he “almost came to blows” with a man whose dog scared his young daughter near his Willard Beach property. Gillick said he had also called the police when a different dog owner refused to pick up after his pet.

“People should be able to be there safe and clean,” he said. “If dogs could wear diapers, there wouldn’t be a problem.”

City Councilor Linda Boudreau said she believed police responded to the beach at least four times a day during the summer months.

“It’s not [officers’] job to be there all the time and [they] can’t,” she said. “We’re finding neighbors fighting neighbors over this issue.”

Other residents said the environment created by the presence of the dogs and their owners has resulted in a diminished quality of life. 

“I can’t remember the last time I slept past six in the morning,” Resident John Murphy said. “I don’t have the enjoyment of my property.”

Three-year Willard Beach resident Dan Labrie said his family and friends refused to visit his home last summer due to the overwhelming odors resulting from dog owners “turning Willard Beach into a toilet bowl.”

Beecher said she would consider conducting a soil test to determine any health risks associated with allowing dogs on the beach. 

“It isn’t healthy,” she said. “Our primary job is the safety and security of the people.”

While some residents suggested creating a new dog park somewhere else in the city, such as Hinkley Park or Bug Light Park, councilors said they were concerned moving dogs would not solve the dog problem. 

“Let’s not move this to another area of the city,” Boudreau said. “One of my priorities will be to not just move this problem around but to deal with it.” 

President of the South Portland Dog Owners’ Group Crystal Goodrich said the organization was in the process of scheduling a member meeting “to come up with a group consensus” in response to the discussion about dogs on Willard Beach.

“We want to tell the other side,” she said. 

Goodrich said despite being in frequent contact with many city officials and property owners, the recent complaints have “been surprising.”

“I was aware of more vandalism on Willard Beach, but hadn’t heard of significant dog owner issues,” she said. 

Although complaints about dogs on the beach are nothing new, Goodrich said the recent grumblings were about specific instances and should be addressed on an individual basis rather than with a change in city policies. Goodrich said the presence of dogs was not a problem to be solved by the council, but rather an amenity to be maintained.  

“We all have to come together and find something people can live with,” she said. 

Councilor James Hughes said he believed it was time for the council to “make an effort to get past the symptoms” of allowing dogs at Willard Beach in their future workshops. 

“Wherever you put the dogs the people will go,” Beecher said. “It’s time we stood up and made some changes.”