Okay, my family has a home in a community with a private beach
(Quonochontaug Central Beach, Rhode Island - Quonochontaug is part of
Charlestown, Rhode Island). According to Quonochontaug Central Beach
association rules, dogs are not allowed on this beach. However, I've
also heard that no beach property below the high tide line is "owned"
or "private," according to either state or federal laws (not sure
which or if this is true), and therefore cannot be regulated as such.
So I'm trying to get to the bottom of the issue: What are the laws
regarding dogs on beaches in Rhode Island? Is it ever legal (off
season, early in the AM, etc.) to have dogs on the beach? Is it always
legal to have them if you're below the high tide line? Is it legal if
they're leashed? Or is it never legal at all? Any help would be
appreciated. Thank you!

This past winter here was a nasty exchange in Middletown at Second
Beach (Sachuest, to you outta statahs) involving an unleashed dog that
resulted in an assault and an arrest.

I've never heard of any beach in RI that allows dogs, and you can
imagine why. I certainly wouldn't appreciate coming across doggie
bombs in my bare feet-- the pop-tops of the 70's and medical waste of
the 80's was bad enough-- and dogs don't need the salt and sand
anyway. Go to a lake or stream to get your pooch swimming.

However, getting caught is a different matter.

Ownership is not significant.  If the law can prohibit gambling within
the three mile limit, it can prohibit other things.  I wouldn't test
the matter.  You might get mobbed by a crowd that kept you and your
dog outside the high tide line when the water rises.