Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman considering doubling fines for pet waste violations

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Dog owners in Wrightsville Beach could soon face significantly higher penalties for failing to clean up after their pets as town leaders look for ways to address ongoing complaints about dog waste.

The issue was discussed on Tuesday during a meeting of the Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen, where officials considered increasing the fine for failing to pick up after a dog from $250 to $500 anywhere within town limits.

The discussion stems in part from requests by some residents to allow dogs on Wrightsville Beach during the busy summer season. Under current town regulations, dogs are only permitted on the beach between Oct. 1 and March 31 and must remain leashed at all times.

While board members spent little time discussing potential changes to beach access rules, Mayor Ken Dull said officials are increasingly frustrated by pet owners who fail to clean up after their animals.

“We are sick and tired of being sick and tired of people not picking up after their dogs,” Dull said. “Everybody has had many, many years to be educated on this and at this point, it’s just blatant that somebody doesn’t scoop the poop after their dog.”

Doug Wilson, a Wrightsville Beach resident and founder of the advocacy group Wrightsville Beach Dogs, said that irresponsible pet owners create challenges for those who follow the rules.

“People not picking up, 10% of the folks cause problems for 90% of the people,” Wilson said. “And there are steps that can be taken to relieve that.”

One of those steps could be the proposed increase in fines. The board directed town staff to bring back a budget amendment for further discussion at its July meeting.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Wilson also called for additional park rangers and improved signage to help enforce pet waste regulations.

Dull said the board could further evaluate the town’s park ranger program during discussions for the next fiscal year budget, which are expected to begin in January.

The meeting also included public comments regarding the upcoming replacement of two of the town’s bridge, which has raised concerns among local business owners.

Susan Bulluck, chair of the Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce, said businesses are worried about how years of construction could affect customer access.

“The business owners are very concerned because this Wrightsville Beach project will continue for a minimum of three years, no matter how you cut it,” Bulluck said. “So there is going to be a reduction in access.”

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, utility relocation work associated with the West Salisbury Street bridge project is expected to begin soon. Construction on the bridge is scheduled to start in November.