Dogs, charter boat fishing not a good mix

Doggie day spas in Cabo San Lucas, pet psychic readings, alligator and lizard-skin dog collars -- all serving as proof that some people will do anything for their dog.

The American Humane Society reports that more than 40 million American households have at least one dog and 84 percent of all dogowning Americans consider the canine to be a "part of the family." For a lot of families, that means tagging along on vacation.

With so much of the Destin fishing fleet's business coming from anglers visiting from out of town, it begs the question: Do people want to take their dogs fishing?

Cathy Kennedy, who books trips for the charters docked at the Destin Fishing Fleet Marina, said the booth occasionally gets questions from customers wanting to take their dogs along on their fishing trips into the Gulf.

Kennedy said the general policy with the captains is that dogs should stay home.

The prevalence of hooks and other sharp objects on the boat used to catch fish could injure a dog, not to mention the risk posed by a large, thrashing fish just pulled from the Gulf.

"If you caught a fairly good size fish, the dog could get finned or bitten," Kennedy said.

Just because dogs are not wel- come to try their luck on the open seas, it is not usual to see a dog and its owner strolling the docks along the harbor on a sunny afternoon or even aboard one of the harbor's dolphin cruise boats.

Miniature, small and hand-held dogs are permitted on Olin Marler's dolphin cruises but not on the company's charter fishing trips, said some of the companies' reservation booth personnel.

AJ's Sea Blaster, a 73-foot boat that carries dozens of passengers on dolphin cruises and snorkeling trips, also does not allow dogs, of any size, aboard for safety reasons and for the comfort of the other passengers aboard.

Though some tourists are sure to bring their favorite four-legged friend along, it's probably best that they leave them safely on land, Kennedy said.