Dogs on Beaches: State and Local Laws

Audubon staff don't just love birds - plenty of us own dogs and cats too! But to keep birds safe during the nesting season, we keep our pets far away from the beach.

Many birds use the beach for nesting, migrating, or resting. Birds see dogs as predators, which can cause them to abandon a nest or lose resting time. Dogs pose a threat to the health of our shorebirds, including threatened species such as the Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher.

Dogs are not allowed on most Connecticut beaches during the summer, and we recommend you avoid all beaches to keep threatened chicks safe. Below, we offer guidance on some of these nesting season restrictions, as well as options for dog parks. 

Site-specific Beach Laws

STATE BEACHES
Dogs prohibited during bird nesting season.

STRATFORD - LONG BEACH
Dogs prohibited from April through September

MILFORD - MILFORD POINT
Dogs prohibited during bird nesting season.

BRIDGEPORT - PLEASURE BEACH
Dogs are prohibited on Pleasure Beach per approved Park Management Plan.

WEST HAVEN - SANDY POINT
Dogs prohibited from April 1 - September 1.

STRATFORD - SHORT BEACH
Dogs prohibited from April through September

Dog-friendly Parks, from East to West

BRANFORD - BRANFORD DOG PARK
421 Shore Drive

FAIRFIELD - JENNINGS DOG BEACH
880 South Benson Road

FAIRFIELD - LAKE MOHEGAN OPEN SPACE OFF LEASH DOG AREA
960 Morehouse Hwy

GREENWICH - GRASS ISLAND DOG PARK
Off of Shore Road (Belle Haven area)

GROTON - CENTRAL BARK DOG PARK
821 Gold Star Highway (Hwy 184)

MILFORD - EISENHOWER DOG PARK
975 West River Street (via rear of park)

NEW HAVEN - EDGEWOOD DOG PARK
Fitch Street and Whalley Avenue

NORWALK - THE DOG ORCHARD (at Cranbury Park)
300 Grumman Avenue

NORWALK - TAYLOR FARM DOG PARK
Calf Pasture Beach Road

STAMFORD - STAMFORD DOG PARK (at Courtland Park)
39 Courtland Avenue

WATERFORD - ALICE B. SULLIVAN DOG PARK
Stenger Farm Park

WESTPORT - COMPO BEACH OFF LEASH DOG AREA
Compo Beach and Soundview Drive

WESTPORT - WINSLOW PARK (NORTH END) OFF LEASH DOG AREA
Post Road East and Compo Road North