36 Replies to "Lincoln Park off-leash crackdown - and more enforcing ahead"

• ws November 22, 2008 (11:29 am)

  I understand following rules and protecting Lincoln Park’s wildlife of which I totally agree with and I appreciated the report from Park officials. But I do smell a rat here. Hmmm, we have a budget crunch and are hiring MORE enforcers – let me guess to MAKE MORE MONEY for the city? What about cats that run around? Going to crack down on them?

  I am against the ambush tactics of these clowns – wait till they get to the offleash park and check licenses. How about put these clowns to work cleaning up the off leash park and making it safe for people to go there – especially women and children. Dog or no dog its not cool to walk into an area that is REMOTE and near bushes full of people doing God knows what.

  Thank you for the article WS blog it is appreciated. Since there are more people in Seattle with dogs than children its time that that West Seattle created more off-leash parks and that dog owners had more rights.

• fauntleroy November 22, 2008 (11:33 am)

  As a dog owner, I think that it is excellent that then enforce these rules. It’s in everyones and everydog’s best interest and helps to keep the area safe for all creates, two or four legged. Maybe we need another off leash area in West Seattle, but let’s do it the right way!

• wsangel November 22, 2008 (11:42 am)

  I am so glad they are finally cracking down. I visit the park almost every day and the number of dogs that run loose is unbelievable – on the trails, on the Beach, and into the Sound. The dog poop that appears along the streets leading to the park is awful too. Dog lovers should take care of their dogs. This is one easy way for the city to add revenue. They should visit any time of the day and they will most likely see many dogs off leash. And, while they are at it, they should visit Lowman Beach too.

• doggy nulu November 22, 2008 (11:52 am)

  Although further in miles but not in time, is the off-leash and swimming area for dogs at Marymoore Park in Redmond. This park is far away the best of the area’s litter.
  A nearly daily visitor to Westcrest Park, I have not experienced the “concerns about safety”.
  I suggest people with dogs brave their perceived threats of White Center/Highland Park and join the active vibrant community of dog lovers who safely enjoy this area.
  For those more adventurous, try the truly scary dog park on north Beacon Hill just east of I5.

• Creighton November 22, 2008 (12:29 pm)

  Good for them. My wife and I walk our (large and powerful) dog on leash every time, and really bugs us that other owners just let their dogs run loose. Want to run loose? Go to the dog park.

• Luckie November 22, 2008 (12:42 pm)

  This doesn’t have to do with parks, but it does have to do with dogs off leash: yesterday I almost ran over a frisky little dog that suddenly scampered into California Ave by the PCC. Its owner called it back just in time, but I had to do some swift swerving. Attention, lady with the cute little mop-dog: please leash it, because accidentally killing your dog will ruin my entire week. Thank you.

• JAB November 22, 2008 (1:10 pm)

  I understand people not liking the amount of dogs running off leash. And irresponsible dog owners that do not pick up after their dogs is annoying to everyone. We obviously have a problem here and ticketing people may slow it down for a while but the main thing is….the city NEEDS to realize we NEED more off leash areas, so many people have dogs and driving 1/2 hour to get to an “off leash park” is not realistic(nor economical) for many people. There are plenty of green spaces that should be able to welcome dogs to run and play catch with their owners therefore allowing those less dog tolerant to be blissfully unware of happily running, frisbee catching, ball chasing canines. The fact that we have such limited places in which to run our dogs, is the reason why people are risking breaking the rules. It is unfortunate but I understand why people do it. I would love it if people would work together and realize there is enough space for people to have both options, it just takes some tolerance and evidently some sqeaky wheeling, not sure how to do that but willing to learn! :) I respect that some people want to take a walk and not be bothered by dogs or step in dog poop AND I would like others to respect the fact that I’d like to take my very well behaved dog to a local grassy area and throw a frisbee for her and WALK not drive back home.
  I hope more dog owners will get involved in helping our community realize a more dog friendly West Seattle and in doing that we need to follow the rules until we can get a few local useable spaces for our canine friends. Anyone have any constructive ideas on how to get this ball rolling?

• d November 22, 2008 (1:18 pm)

  As a dog owner who walks her dog all over WS, I think this is interesting and appreciate Monique’s timely investigation.

  I don’t think having another off-leash dog park in WS is the sole solution to encourage compliance with law and good dog manners and citizenry.

  But, I can’t help but wonder what COLA (Citizens for Off-leash Areas) might have to say. I am not a member or affiliated with the group, but it is my understanding that, historically, off-leash area procurements have often been initiated by grassroots efforts through the committees of COLA. They are partners with the Parks Department, but not part of the Parks Department.

  Here’s the link if anyone wants to take a look at the group and what they are all about.

  http://www.coladog.org/about/index.html

• Mac November 22, 2008 (1:21 pm)

  My dog ( his flickr page ) is blind and gets scared and then aggressive when other dogs come up on him quickly. If he attacks the other *off leash* dog, the owners get mad at *him and me*!! Absurd. I’m really glad they are cracking down on this stuff.

• WS pet lover November 22, 2008 (1:26 pm)

  I’m so glad to hear that annimal control is cracking down on this! I walk my dog on a leash at all times. There have been situations when on off-leash dogs charges at my dog and he doesn’t know what to do. The owners think it’s “cute” that their dog is so friendly. My dog and I don’t see it that way at all.
  In addition to the crackdown in the parks, how about cracking down on dog walkers who let their dogs off leash at Alki Beach – right in front of the signs that say no dogs on the beach. Can we look into that next?
  Thank-you again!

• homesweethome November 22, 2008 (1:35 pm)

  Maybe the crackdown can come to Hiawatha next?

• thee November 22, 2008 (1:50 pm)

  feh

• B-squared November 22, 2008 (2:24 pm)

  Thank you, Animal control. It’s about time! as long as there are dog owners who have no respect for the law or other park users, this should be a pretty sweet revenue stream.

• alki walker November 22, 2008 (4:02 pm)

  I wish people would also stop letting their dogs run without leash on Alki Beach.
  There is just as much marine wildlife and a lot of kids and people walking barefoot.
  Please follow the signs.

• Chuck and Sally's Van Man November 22, 2008 (8:35 pm)

  ABOUT TIME! As much as I hate the thinly-disguised motives of Mayor McCheese and his money grabbing ways (PLEASE someone run against this putz), as a frequent LP dog walker who follows the rules I am very pleased by the news. I would love to see the inconsiderate folks who walk their dogs off leash get busted. Just about every single time I walk my yellow lab there some dog comes running up to mine, often aggressively. I usually hold my tongue but I think with this news I’ll be more apt to inform them they could get a pricey little ticket.

  Chuck

• WTF November 22, 2008 (8:37 pm)

  Give me a GD break! It’s all about money. My dog and I walk through the woods in this park all the time. There are very few dogs, let alone running wild. Seattle is SO STUPID. I wonder if there will come a day when Seattle finds better things to do. The diversion tactics they use to avoid other issues that are really facing this city are becoming third grade. I can just see it now, a uniform police officer or “dog catcher” running through the thicket of LP, chasing my lab for a f’ing off leash ticket. How impressive Seattle. You go get ’em. Ha, and how many people died of violent crime in Seattle since Jan. 1, 2008?!?!?!?!?!?!? I love this city more every day!

• WTF November 22, 2008 (8:40 pm)

  P.S. I wonder who “fed” MONIQUE the story. Does your daddy work in the mayor’s office?

• WTF November 22, 2008 (8:44 pm)

  Chuck and Sally’s Van Man, come on. Be real. How many aggressive dogs REALLY come running up to you and your lab? Come on. Be honest. I don’t believe you. I’m in the park with my dog at least 5 days a week…I watch, look, listen. There has never been such dogs. If you think that dogs curiosity and self-imposed introductions are “aggressive” you need to take animal behavior, husbandry courses. Your only intuitive comment was that SOMEONE needs to run against the jackass we call mayor.

• WSB November 22, 2008 (8:47 pm)

  WTF, no one “fed” this story. As stated clearly above, it started with a WSB Forum discussion (linked in the above post) three weeks ago. We have been working with News Lab students (as do numerous other small news organizations in the region) for the past two semesters, and this is the third News Lab story we have published this semester. If I had had time, I would have followed this one up myself, and therefore was pleased to get the story pitch from Monique saying “I read the forum thread and thought there might be a followup story there.” Enterprising reporters look for good stories to do. In this case, it took a couple weeks – she had trouble getting through to some of the key players – I gave her a few suggestions, and said the story would still be timely and interesting whenever it could be produced, which clearly it is, having generated this much discussion on the slowest day of the week – TR

• Chuck and Sally's Van Man November 22, 2008 (9:05 pm)

  Hey WTF, I invite you to come walk with me any time and you can decide for yourself what “aggressive” is. Granted, it may just be overly playful behavior. But when my male dog is leashed and another dog of his same size or larger comes up OFF LEASH and they do that eyeball to eyeball thing I think it’s better to be safe than sorry so I always pull mine away. Why should I even have to worry? Those dogs (one of yours, perhaps?) have no right being off leash and it pisses me off. And yes, I can think of at least five times where there has been growling on the part of the other dog. In fact, with another dog of mine we were once charged by a German Shepherd forcing us to jump off the gravel walkway down to the beach. Or more aptly, I jumped and pulled my lab ass-over-teakettle to keep him from being attacked. Luckily, that dog was leashed, but it was one of those rididulous retractable things and the woman was not paying attention to her dog 15 feet in front of her who then turned and attacked as we tried to pass. Maybe you’ve been lucky not to meet the more aggressive dogs on your walks. It’s ridiculous for you to assume you have any knowledge of what I have experienced.

  Hapy walking to you.

  Chuck

• pz November 22, 2008 (9:44 pm)

  I walk my dog all over West Seattle and comply with off leash laws including responsibly picking up poop, not letting her loose on the beaches,and paying attention to walkers, joggers etc.. But has anyone looked at the City map for off leash parks? Look at it! There are so many parks supporting the central core of Seattle, but only one park in the South End of West Seattle. Sure I recognise more density in the center of town, assuming more dogs. But I think the distribution of parks should reflect the density of dog licensing. I bet we’d find lots of dogs in West Seattle and an under proportion of open space for them.

  The intentions are admirable at Westcrest, but so many of the dogs are agressive and very pack like. Unfortunately I drive all the way to Magnussen for a friendly environment.

• nmb November 22, 2008 (10:47 pm)

  I can understand the need to control dogs by either keeping them on leash or containing them off-leash in a dog park. However, this solution is not one size fits all. I have a high-energy Springer Spaniel who has become very aggressive against other dogs since breaking her leg a few years ago. Therefore, I cannot take her to dog parks as she will simply go about attacking other dogs. I walk her around the neighborhood on leash, but she desperately needs room to run at full tilt. To this end, I am forced to risk getting a ticket by taking her to one of the local schoolyard athletic fields to throw her ball. I only do this when there is not another soul around. She knows to always stay close, I pick up her poop, and if someone joins us on the field, I call her over, leash her up and leave. I know that all dogs are like her, and that all dog owners are as conscientious as myself. But I find myself in the unenviable position of risking hefty fines for doing nothing more than trying to provide my dog with exercise that she needs, in the safest manner possible for her, other dog, other people, wildlife, and other’s property.

• Rob November 23, 2008 (9:20 am)

  I hate it when my dogs are approached in Schmidt Park or Lincoln Park by off leash dogs whose owners say”Don’t worry, he’s friendly” That is a buch of crap. I have 2 dogs and they are always leased. If you have a studio apt, you don’t need a pitbull or any dog for that matter.

• Joetheplumber November 23, 2008 (10:21 am)

  I can’t believe all the dog haters here, and all “the obnoxious behavior” they have to report. Of course, these token samples don’t out weigh all the good dogs out there, because only complainers will post their anger. Why hate on the dogs? The real culprit is the dog owners who don’t coach their dogs and won’t pick up their poop. I get more disgusted with the dog walkers in my neighborhood who refuse to scoop their poop off the SIDEWALKS!! What are you thinking??? Parks are for play and fun. Lighten up Seattle, lets get to the real city issues. Pay for parking at LP, anyone?

• ML November 23, 2008 (10:43 am)

  This issue is not about dogs, it is a ploy for Seattle to “earn” more money. This city needs to focus on crime – not dogs and their owners. Pathetic.

• doggy nulu November 23, 2008 (11:20 am)

  Dog Haters? “Joethedumber” did not read the posts which are nearly all from dog lovers/owners.
  A ploy to make money? Ridiculous. Pet citations are not a money maker.
  “nmb”, how about some responsibility? Get some care for your dog’s aggression. Put a muzzle on her so she can run in the dog park. Live in a place, (rental house?) with a yard for the dog to run.
  Would “nmb” like to sit in the local schoolyard’s athletic field where the dog’s poop was picked up? How about school kids playing soccer, football, baseball slipping in dog poop? Has she tried removing dog poop from balls. Has she ever been tackled in football to find a face full of dog poop?

• mike November 23, 2008 (11:32 am)

  This is so lame brained. We’re expected to carry around our dog’s license whenever we leave the house. If we don’t, we face a ticket that costs more than the one i got for speeding? I agree this looks like its more about funding than enforcement. Will we also be required to have documents explaining why we’re allowed outside. How 1984 do we need to be?

  I’ve gone to westcrest at least 20times and only once have I experienced an aggressive dog, and the owners we’re on top of it. I’ve never seen them back so I assume they decided it was a bad idea. When I was young, at school there were bullies, I don’t see it any different. At least with dog parks the parents are near by and you can yell at them. Don’t bother with the Seattle passive aggressive nonsense.

• Mike November 23, 2008 (11:57 am)

  Good, glad they are enforcing the leash laws. I love taking my dog to Lincoln but as a 1 year old Golden she’s still learning how to behave around joggers, walkers and kids, it makes it a real pain when somebody elses dog just charges right up to her and gets her overexcited. When I want her to play with other dogs I’ll take her to locations that are set for that and don’t have little kids wandering around.

  I also hate the excess dog crap people don’t pick up. I know even some on leash don’t have owners being responsible enough to pick up the dog crap and dispose of it properly but I have seen many offleash dogs just do their duty and the owner never sees it happen.

  Respect for all people and animals needs to be upheld by dog owners (myself included). I don’t want my dog picking up some other dogs crap that has parasites in it and then getting my dog sick. It’s especially dangerous for those that have very young puppies that have not gotten all their vaccinations yet.

• Chuck and Sally's Van Man November 23, 2008 (12:30 pm)

  The off-leash dog problem at Lincoln Park is very real. But as with with guns, it’s a people problem and not the fault of the dogs per-se. I am just back from an hour-plus walk and once again scratching my head at the boorish behavior of well over half of the dog owners I saw out there. Two dogs in particular–“Bo” and “Lulu” are worth their own stories, which I’ll get to in a second.

  But first, a big thank you to the OTHER half of the dog owners who had their dogs on leash at all times, and not just when another dog neared them (do you put your seatbelt on and off when you pass cops, too?) Especially the older gentleman with the large German Shepherd who was (yes WTF, it’s true) straining at his leash to come our way. Just to play? Who knows. But the gentleman had him safely restrained and I appreciate it.

  So let’s get to “Bo” and “Lulu.” I’m a lab lover, and Bo is a beautiful, playful lab. Great. If I was at Marymoore park his behavior would be welcomed. But since I was at LP and had my dog on a leash as I neared the pull up bars in the center of the park, having him jump all over my dog while the woman tried to put his leash on was not at all appreciated. And the yellow dog bumper she had under her arm was yet another direct giveaway that this owner could care less about park rules or the enjoyment of others. Once again I bit my tongue as the woman uttered “sorry” as she happlessly tried to restrain her dog. Why do you bring a leash if you don’t even use it?

  The next dog was Lulu, and she really was. Lulu was a large brown Australian mix, owned by a woman pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair. Okay, you have other things to worry about than your dog. But me and another woman were so worried about YOUR dog which we thought was lost that we were trying to contain it when you came up. In the meantime, your dog had chased a cat around the “Just Ducky” house at the north entrance to the park and generally running all over people’s yard and not at all under your voice control.

  Call me a hater if you must. But just put your dog on a leash first, won’t you please? WTF, indeed.

  Chuck

• HighlandParkster November 23, 2008 (11:58 pm)

  ABOUT TIME! I work a full-time job 5 days a week, and that job is NOT animal control. Yet, every single day when I walk my dog at a park at lunch (ANY park) there are at least 2-3 dogs off leash. It IS Seattle Animal Control’s job to ticket dog owners who allow their dogs to run around Seattle Parks and use public property as their toilet. Yet, where are the Animal Control trucks? I rarely if ever see Animal Control trucks at City Parks. The parks even provide free poop pick-up bags and still “special needs” dog owners allow and/or encourage their dogs to poop all over the place. It’s so sad to watch some old lady let her dog poop in a park’s planting beds. Kids and volunteers maintain those plating beds and restoration areas, and do NOT need to deal with your dog’s waste! ANYWAY, back to my point: What the hell has Animal Control been doing for the past few years?!?! If they park a truck in ANY city park parking lot from 11:30AM to 3:30PM any day of the week, they will easily cite 2 dozen stupid dog owners who let their dogs run around off leash in the parking lot alone. Start at Greg Davis Park, Roxhill Park, Westcrest Park (the on-leash part near the playground), Camp Long, and Lakewood Park in King County. Lakewood Park is a disc golf course. Is there anything worse than landing a great shot only to discover it’s landed in a pile of dog mess or to have your long tee shot chased by an off-leash dog? The sad thing is that there are at LEAST a dozen signs all over the park about the leash laws. What is WRONG with people?! So, if I am doing 1/2 Animal Control’s job for them, why aren’t I getting a salary? Get out there and write some tickets!!

• Ron Burgundy November 24, 2008 (9:29 am)

  I agree that the problem here isn’t the dog’s. It is the owners who refuse to properly train their dogs or recognize that their own dog exibits aggressive behavior. I have an 8 year old golden retriever and I walk her off leash all the time. However, she is very well trained and rarely leaves my side. If she isn’t behaved, she goes on the leash. She is obsessed with her tennis ball or frisbee and she never approaches other dogs as she is a “beta” dog, not an “alpha” dog and doesn’t see the need to greet other dogs. All dogs are different and should be treated that way. If I were to take my dog to a dog park and throw her ball and there was another dog that wanted to play with her, she’d shy away from the other dog and that would just ruin her day. So dog parks for her are out of the question.

  So please dog owners, train your dogs, recognize their inappropriate behaviors, pick up their poop and get along with others.

• cakeitseasy November 24, 2008 (1:15 pm)

  It’s too bad they’ve had to resort to enforcing the law aggresivley, but until people pay attention…GOOD! With so many dogs these days, there is the balance of wildlife to consider, so it’s very import. Otherwise, in areas that are not so sensitive, how about initiating off-leash hours at regular parks, insteading of building new dog parks?

  Now here’s my ‘offleash’ rant:

  If you really need so much space to let your dog run offleash and aren’t willing to travel for it, move to the ‘burbs or the ‘country’. Or, buy or rent a place with a large yard. If you don’t have access to a yard in the city and can’t/won’t travel to a designated offleash park or another acceptable area, frankly, you shouldn’t have a dog that needs to romp free on a regular basis. Not everyone should be entitled to dog ownership if they don’t have the means (or simple courtesy) to deal with them in a law abiding manor, in a CITY environment. I know Seattle (esp. W. Seattle) resembles the suburbs at times, but its not. It’s a city with projected growth in density. I find it annoying when people bring suburban/rural lifestyles and values to the city, and expect city dwellers to adjust accordingly, instead of the other way around.

  I feel the same way about children as well, by the way. Although, this: http://www.essortment.com/all/childrenleashes_rvjf.htm) might be going too far ;)

• cakeitseasy November 24, 2008 (2:06 pm)

  Off Leash Haiku

  Big dog romps and poops
  There is no leash in sight. Why not?
  You don’t follow rules
  When ticket comes I sigh. Too bad
  Shame on you scofflaw

• Chuck & Sally's Van Man November 24, 2008 (2:25 pm)

  Love the Haiku! Only in W. Seattle could someone get their point across so artfully and tactfully. Maybe you should print it out in large type and staple it below the “leash law” signs. Heck, maybe I will if you don’t–it would certainly help.

  Chuck

• jissy November 24, 2008 (4:42 pm)

  pz — I recently read an article about a local pet business who decided to set up shop in W.S., (zip code 98116 to be specific) b/c it has the
  highest # of pet licenses per capita.

• HighlandParkster November 24, 2008 (5:11 pm)

  Yay for Cakeitseasy! Clap clap clap!

Sorry, comment time is over.