Darien committee weighs tightening dog rules on Great Island after cameras show off‑leash activity

At its Feb. 13 teleconference, the Great Island Advisory Committee reviewed wildlife protections and animal-control enforcement after consultants reported a seasonal bridle-trail closure for eagle nesting and town cameras recorded off‑leash activity in restricted areas.

Ms. Sturges reported the bridle trail will be temporarily closed Feb. 1–July 15 so eagles can remain and raise their young. Ms. McNally said the Town's cameras recorded 38 dogs in the bridle-path area between Dec. 27, 2024 and Jan. 26, 2025, 11 of them off leash; from Jan. 27–Feb. 12, 2025 cameras recorded four dogs in the bridle path area with three off leash and one bicycle. Ms. McNally noted that during the latter period 11 people disregarded the closure signage.

The town now has an Animal Control Officer who can issue a $25 citation; committee members debated whether that amount is an effective deterrent. Bruce Ferguson called $25 insufficient and suggested the committee consider an off‑leash area in the upper field across from the Boat House and Stable to accommodate residents who want off‑leash access. Ms. Sturges said there was no interest in creating a dog park on the island, warning that concentrated dog activity could scare away eagles and invite enforcement challenges. She recommended updating regulations so "dogs are welcome on paths and on leash and they are not permitted on the bridle trail."

The committee asked staff to gather more data on usage patterns and consider whether to raise citation levels, increase on‑site Animal Control presence, or revert to a no‑dog policy for the island. The dog‑policy trial period ends March 31; the committee will take public input at the March 1 workshop.