Atlantic Beach Police reminds people to keep dogs on leashes after dog eats 23 baby sea turtles during nesting season

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – The Atlantic Beach Police Department is reminding beachgoers to keep their dogs on a leash after a dog ate 23 baby sea turtles as they emerged from their nest.

ABPD put the notice out on its Facebook page saying that people can help protect turtles by keeping their dogs leashed at all times.

It also listed other guidelines to protect the baby turtles:

• Do not touch or interfere with nesting turtles, eggs or hatchlings.
• Do not disturb nests or markers.
• Turn off all lights visible from the beach including lamps, house lights, flashlights and camera flashes.
• Balloons and plastic bags are harmful to sea turtles and other wildlife.
• Remove all items from the beach at night.

You can call 904-613-6081 to report injured, dead, or disoriented sea turtles.

You can also go to bstp.net for more information.

Sea turtle nesting season is from May through October.