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DOGS ON NATIONAL
SEASHORE MUST BE LEASHED
Each area has its own regulations concerning pets on the
beach.
LEASH LAWS.
Leash law at National Parks requires leashes
not to exceed six (6) feet in length.
Beaches of Currituck County
Leashes are required but there are no length requirements.
Town of Duck
- 255-1234
Leash law requires leash not to exceed ten (10) feet in
length. Pets are allowed to play unleashed on the beach
under close supervision of owner. Year round pet-friendly
beaches.
Town of Kill Devil Hills -
449-5300
Leash law requires leash not to exceed 10 ft. in length.
From the hours of 9:00 am through 6:00 pm each day from May
15th through Sept. 15th each year, No dogs shall be allowed
on town beaches, except those aiding a handicap person.
Town of Kitty Hawk -
261-3552
Leash law requires leash not to exceed 6 ft. in length
between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm from Fri. before
Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day. At all other
times the leash may be extended, but must be retractable to
12 ft. Well trained dogs may be unleashed under close
supervision of owner, not to exceed 30 ft. in distance
between owner and dog.
Town of Manteo on Roanoke Island
- 473-2133
Leash law requires leash not to exceed six (6) feet in
length. Leashed pets are
allowed on the waterfront year round.
Town of Nags Head
- 441-5508
Leash law requires leash not to exceed ten (10) feet in
length. Leashed pets allowed on towns beaches year round.
Town of Southern Shores
- 261-2394
Leash law requires leash not to exceed ten (10) feet in
length. From May 15 to September 15 of each year, animals
are prohibited on town beaches. Leash laws enforced
remainder of year.
Hatteras Island - Dare County -
Ocracoke Island - Hyde County
Large portions of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands belong to
the National Parks Service. The following statement was
released:
“Your pets are welcome at Cape
Hatteras National Seashore. Do keep them leashed and under
control at all times. Pets are not allowed on designated
swim beaches or in buildings. Please for your pets sake, do
not leave them unattended. And, for other visitors sake,
clean up after your pet.”
2007 - Superintendent Mike Murray announced today that there will
be a focused effort this season to inform visitors of
concerns over the number of dogs that are observed off leash
at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and the negative impact
that unleashed dogs can have on the wildlife that rely on
the seashore beaches for survival.
Seashore personnel continue to regularly observe pets off
leash near resource protection areas that have been
established to prevent disturbance or harm to nesting or
foraging protected wildlife species. While some visitors may
think that 64 miles of ocean shoreline is the perfect place
to let their pets roam, doing so can seriously impact
wildlife. The national seashore serves as breeding habitat
for many coastal and migrant bird species in North Carolina,
and nesting habitat for several species of sea turtles.
Coastal birds nest on bare sandy beaches, and nests are
often not readily apparent to park visitors. Loose dogs can
interrupt breeding behaviors, chase birds off of their nests
and expose the nest to predators.
Once disturbed, birds may abandon nesting at those locations
altogether.
The effort will be to educate the public and dog owners on
the federal regulation that requires all pets to be on a
leash and to target enforcement of the regulation,
particularly in wildlife areas. Park Rangers and Beach
Ambassador Volunteers will provide information to pet owners
and encourage voluntary compliance. Park Rangers can issue
violation notices carrying a $125.00 fine to any pet owners
who do not comply with the leash requirement.
“Beautiful beaches, great fishing, and opportunities for
wildlife viewing are some of the experiences that have
brought people to the seashore for generations, “states
Superintendent Murray. “Together with the public, we have a
duty to protect these resources and experiences at America’s
first national seashore for the benefit of present and
future generations.”
Tampering with threatened and endangered species or their
habitat requires a mandatory appearance in federal court
with possible fines of $25,000 and incarceration of five
years. Threatened and endangered species at Cape Hatteras
include both the piping plover and sea turtles.
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