What is the law about dogs ON Alki Beach? I see all of the signs posted prohibiting dogs on the beach, and MOST dog owners obey this law. There are however a certain % of dog owners who either don't care, or they are oblivious to this law. Maybe if the law was actually enforced, it would help the situation?
Who is supposed to enforce these fines?
Has anybody ever been fined?
Thanks,
Alkifan
You appear to have answered most of your own questions, but here are the answers to the last two:
Seattle Animal Shelter, 386-PETS.
Yes, but it doesn't happen often enough to present a serious deterrent.
KBear, I should have been more detailed on my original question.
Is there a place on the beach where dogs are allowed? Or, are dogs banned from the entire span of the beach all of the way from the house at the West to the furthest spot around the point?
Thanks for the response about the Animal Shelter, I'll give them a call.
I believe the sidewalk is as far as dogs are permitted to go at Alki, or at Lincoln Park. I don't think there's anyplace on any beach in Seattle where dogs are permitted.
JenV
Member Profile
doesn't Magnuson Park have an off-leash area next to the beach where the dogs are allowed in? not in West Seattle, but it's a start.
Here are a few links to off-leash dog parks in Seattle: http://www.coladog.org/ and http://www.diddit.com/list-lqwcmq/off-leash-dog-parks-seattle/ (with interactive map)
JenV, you are right about that. I forgot that one.
guidosmom
Member Profile
Luther Burbank dog park on Mercer Island has a great beach are for dogs too.
http://www.mercergov.org/page.asp?navid=1138
I was down at the beach again with my daughter and a woman who looked like she was a local, let her dog run off leash onto Alki beach just down from where we were hanging out. The dog ran down to the water, pooped on the beach, and then urinated on one of the pieces of driftwood that people (and we) sit on down there.
She went down and picked up the dog fece and I walked over and let her know that dogs were not allowed on the beach. She was on the phone, heard what I said, but didn't say anything in response to me. She put a leash on her dog, and walked him back up to the walking path. It appeared to me that this was just a regular routine for them.
I hate the thought of kids playing in/around dog feces. It simply is not healthy. Since nobody is handing out tickets down at Alki beach, I guess I'll just continue to confront people when I see them. If you feel the same way, please confront dog owners who are not following the city rule about dogs on Alki. Thanks.
I called the Animal Shelter and spoke with a representative there. They will start to send some people out to the beach to monitor, but they said the most effective way for people to help out is to write down the license plate number of the dog owner who takes their dog on the beach and to call it in. They will run the plate, and visit the dog owner's residence.
i like that.. but difficult to do if they are local and you have to follow them home.
I'll be checking that one with the Animal Shelter's director tomorrow. Hard to believe they would have the manpower to do that.
Seattle Animal Control has an online form to report- and a specific field for reporting leash violations in Seattle Parks. http://www.seattle.gov/AnimalShelter/ServiceRequest/ServiceRequest.asp
PlaneGuy
Member Profile
Alkifan. For someone who doesn't have a dog, you sure have an extreme interest in dogs and dog laws. 3 different dog threads? A little extra time on your hands?
I promised to check with Seattle Animal Shelter and have just spoken with director Don Jordan.
He says that the license-plate option is a possibility if you know of a CHRONIC offender - someone you see doing this time and time again. You could provide the plate, description of vehicle, etc., to SAS, and they may choose to contact the alleged offender - maybe by phone, maybe in person.
They may also ask you to fill out and sign a statement of your complaint. That means, however, Jordan noted, that if the alleged offender challenges it, you will need to show up at a hearing and testify.
They do not encourage license-plate reporting of anyone and everyone you see, but he did verify that it is one way of going after a chronic offender.
Planeguy,
I have a 16 month old daughter who loves playing on Alki beach. Like all kids, she picks things up off of the beach and she either puts them back down, or sometimes they will go in her mouth. There is very dangerous bacteria in dog feces. Dog feces on a beach poses risk not only to the PEOPLE ON THE BEACH, but it also releases bacteria into the Puget Sound which is horrible.
I am a concerned parent, and I am also frustrated by (some) people's complete disregard of this law, or people's lack of understanding that this law exists even though there are signs posted everywhere about it. This is a REAL health risk, and this is also a harm to our environment. Taking a few minutes to post some thoughts on the West Seattle Blog is the least that I can do to raise the awareness of this ongoing issue. The SAS aren't going to do anything to enforce these laws since there are only approximately 12 employees in this group with the responsibility to oversee 1500 parks in Seattle. Dog owners who are not obeying this law are flippant about it, they think that there is no harm in their dog going on the beach, and they just don't care for whatever reason. If some $500 tickets were handed out, I am sure they would start to care a bit since the health and environmental risks don't mean a damn thing to them.
If you feel like taking the time, read this article posted in the USA Today about Dog Waste. "Dog waste poses threat to water"
http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/2002-06-07-dog-usat.htm
PlaneGuy
Member Profile
Excessive speed in an automobile is also a hazard -a LIFE hazard. You don't see anyone going nutso about that "cause". If dog poop poses a problem, may I suggest an indoor playground, shopping facility, or museum.
Great idea PlaneGuy. Rather than walking a few blocks down to Alki beach you suggest we pack up and drive off of West Seattle to an indoor playground, shopping facility or museum. And you are calling me 'nutso'?
I am not sure if you are aware, but police monitor speeds and issue tickets every minute of every day. They use a sophisticated technology called a "Radar Gun" to assess speed, and even though it doesn't make everyone obey the speed limit, it makes some people think twice about speeding.
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