New Restrictions At Manasquan Waterfront Have Dog Owners Seeing Red

MANASQUAN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Pet owners and their four-legged companions are going to have to find somewhere else to spend the dog days of summer due to a new ban at a popular New Jersey cove.

As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, like most, Harley the dog wants to spend Memorial Day at the beach, splashing around in the water, playing on the sand and soaking up the sun.

"Oh it's wonderful. They love it," said Harley's owner.

But a new time restriction a Fisherman's Cove in Manasquan, New Jersey will keep Harley and all of his friends off the beach from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Memorial Day through Labor Day.

And their owners aren't too happy about Monmouth County Parks' new change.

"With the restriction, it's prime time swimming time. Who wants to swim before 10 and after 4?" said Jenn Vigll.

"It's sad; it's so limited where dogs can go. So it's really nice just to have a place where they can roam and play," said Christina Breen.

"How many dog beaches are there in the county? This is the only one and you want to take that away, that's not fair," said Sue Murotta.

According to the Monmouth County Parks website, the change is "in an effort to avoid conflicts and provide opportunity so that visitors may choose the time of day that they visit and experience their activity of choice."

"(Do you think that ever kept people away?) Umm I would say maybe. I could see some people being 'oh it's a dog beach, I guess I'm not gonna go there' or 'I don't belong there,' but I think that's few and far and in between," said Vigll.

"There's a beach everywhere around this area so just to have one little spot where dogs can play, that wouldn't keep people away, that's silly," said one pet owner.

A county spokesperson said those who violate the new restrictions will be asked to leave the beach.

A group of dog owners plans to speak out Tuesday night against the new regulation at a Board of Recreation Commissioners meeting with the hope of changing their minds, Carrasco reported.