Dogs get longer days on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk

VIRGINIA BEACH — Every dog has its day, and on Virginia Beach’s Boardwalk, that day just got longer.

The City Council on Tuesday extended the hours that leashed dogs are allowed on the Boardwalk this summer.

The hours will be 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, with the exception of restrictions during special events. The beach will remain off-limits for dogs this summer.

Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson proposed the change. Dogs had been allowed only until 10 a.m. She had support from the Virginia Beach Hotel Association and the police department.

“The police will get called to go ticket somebody who’s walking their dog on the Boardwalk in the summertime when they really need to be out doing more important things,” Wilson said at the meeting.

Two speakers were against extending the hours on the Boardwalk, citing cleanliness and safety issues.

“If we find out that it’s problematic, it can be revisited,” Wilson said. “Let’s try it out.”

During the offseason — after Labor Day weekend and before Memorial Day weekend — dogs are allowed on the Boardwalk and beaches at any time.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com