OPINION | Why Biddeford’s leash laws matter

We all share a responsibility to protect our natural resources, including endangered species and critical habitats

By TAMMY BELANGER | Gazette Columnist

Biddeford is incredibly fortunate to have miles of beautiful public beaches that are enjoyed by residents, visitors, photographers, surfers, families, and responsible dog owners alike.

Our beaches are one of the community’s greatest treasures, but they are also home to fragile coastal ecosystems and wildlife that depend on them for survival.

That is why following Biddeford’s beach leash laws is so important.

Each year — from May 25 through September 15 — dogs are prohibited on Biddeford’s public beaches between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

. . .

During the hours when dogs are permitted—before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.— dogs must remain on a physical leash no longer than eight feet. Off-leash dogs are prohibited during this entire summer period. Rotary Park Beach has even stricter regulations, prohibiting dogs between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

During the off-season, from September 16 through March 14, dogs are welcome on the city’s public beaches throughout the day and may be off leash, provided they remain completely under reliable voice command.

These rules weren’t created to inconvenience dog owners. They exist to protect both wildlife and our pets while allowing everyone to enjoy the beaches safely.

Recently, I witnessed a situation that illustrates exactly why these regulations matter.

A dog was running loose during a time when it should have been leashed. The owner was encouraging the dog to chase seagulls, but instead, the dog flushed a piping plover into flight before it was finally caught. The owner then left the beach.

To some, it may appear harmless. After all, the bird simply flew away.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Photos by Tammy Belanger

Piping plovers are a federally endangered species that nest directly on Maine’s sandy beaches. Through decades of dedicated conservation efforts, volunteer monitoring, symbolic fencing, public education and cooperation from beachgoers, southern Maine has seen encouraging increases in their population.

Maine’s progress in protecting plovers is something we should all celebrate.

However, an improving population does not mean these birds no longer need protection.

Every unnecessary disturbance causes stress. When a plover is forced into flight, it leaves its territory, mate, eggs or chicks vulnerable.

Adult birds expend valuable energy avoiding perceived predators instead of feeding, caring for their young or preparing for migration. Chicks, which rely on camouflage rather than flight to survive, are especially vulnerable when dogs roam through nesting habitat.

Even if a dog never catches a bird, the chase itself is harassment—and harassment of a federally protected endangered species is exactly what the leash laws are intended to prevent.

While seagulls are common, they are still an important part of our coastal ecosystem and deserve to be left undisturbed. Encouraging dogs to chase any wildlife disrupts natural behavior and diminishes the experience for everyone who visits our beaches.

Following Biddeford’s leash laws
is one of the simplest acts
of conservation we can perform.

The overwhelming majority of dog owners are respectful and follow the rules. They understand that keeping their dog leashed protects not only wildlife, but also their own pet.

A leash prevents unexpected encounters with other dogs, protects wildlife, avoids conflicts with other beachgoers, and ensures dogs don’t wander into dangerous situations.

Our community has worked incredibly hard to help piping plovers recover.

Volunteers spend countless hours monitoring nests, educating visitors, installing protective fencing, and helping beach users understand why these tiny shorebirds deserve our respect. Those efforts have paid off, but they can only continue to succeed if all of us do our part.

Following the city’s leash laws isn’t about choosing birds over dogs. It’s about respecting the shared space we all enjoy. A leash is a small inconvenience that helps preserve one of Maine’s greatest conservation success stories while allowing responsible dog owners and wildlife to coexist.

A Personal Note

**BIDDEFORD POOL** | *File Photo by R. Seaver*

. . .

As a wildlife photographer, I’ve had the privilege of quietly observing Biddeford’s piping plovers throughout the nesting season. I’ve watched them court, protect their nests, care for their tiny chicks, and celebrate the moment those chicks finally take flight. It has given me a deep appreciation for just how much these remarkable little birds overcome every day.

A piping plover doesn’t know your dog is friendly. It only sees a predator. Every time it is forced into flight, it is spending precious energy that should be devoted to feeding, protecting its young, or simply surviving.

Following Biddeford’s leash laws is one of the simplest acts of conservation we can perform. A leash may seem like a small inconvenience to us, but to a piping plover, it can mean the difference between a successful nesting season and a failed one.

Together, we can ensure that Biddeford’s beaches remain a place where people, pets and one of Maine’s most treasured endangered species can continue to coexist.

Thank you to every dog owner who follows the rules and helps protect these incredible birds. Your cooperation truly makes a difference.

I shot those photos from an ethical distance with my telephoto lens. They were also cropped in closer during editing.

. . .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Tammy Belanger is a regular columnist for the Biddeford Gazette, covering City Hall and other public policy issues impacting the city. She is a longtime Biddeford resident, small business owner, photographer and dog lover.

“I am a wife and a mother of three adults who were raised here. I care deeply about our community, and the people who live here,” she says.

PLEASE DONATE TO SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM

STAY CONNECTED | SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TODAY