Rico the Vigilante | The Beachside Resident

Story and photos by Kate Flack

Article Category: Pet of the Month Leave a Comment

I met this little guy on my walk to the Cocoa Beach Pier. He was frolicking about, taking full advantage of his wide-open, nearly human-free playground of sand and water on a Monday afternoon. I simultaneously felt glee and worry for the happy little guy who obviously could not read the signs on the boardwalk: No Dogs Allowed. Do I ruin his afternoon with this unfortunate information?

After pondering my dilemma, I approached the 15-lb., 6-year-old Italian Greyhound and introduced myself. His name was Rico, and though he isn’t a beach resident himself, he certainly wishes he were, making his way to the coastline every opportunity he gets to check out the seagulls and, of course, the waves. I guess I really should break the bad news to my petite friend. Better safe than sorry.

It nearly broke Rico’s heart when I told him he could be fined $55 for his first violation and $115 for his second should he get caught. He explained to me that even though he possessed the good looks of a purebred, he was in truth a rescue dog and simply does not have that kind of money to gamble with. He took a few good last looks around before making his way back over the bridge to his home inland.

When he’s not breaking county ordinances, Rico enjoys long naps and snuggles with his 13-year-old companion, Julia. Normally only permitted downstairs in the two-storey home he shares with his people, Rico has an uncanny ability to detect when one of his owners is sick and violates the “No Dogs Upstairs Rule” to cuddle with whomever is ill. Truly a dog after my own heart.

If you think Rico and the other dogs of Brevard County deserve designated beach time, please write both your town and county commissioners to reverse this unfortunate, nearly 40-year-old ordinance. In the meantime, dog-friendly beaches and inlets can be found a little over an hour away at New Smyrna and Ponce Inlet. I say let’s get our own and bring more tourism dollars to Brevard.