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(29 posts)

Lady doesn't care about the no-dog rule on Alki

Started 2 years ago by Magnums
Latest reply from JimmyG

Magnums
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Hi. I like dogs and have a dog. When I was a kid, we always had dogs. But I have three young kids and we like to play in the sand at Alki. We bring a little food and lay down a blanket, etc.

Everyone knows there are hundreds of dogs on the boardwalk at Alki. I like the fact that Alki has a rule where no dogs are allowed on the beach. So kill me alright. It's a good rule and I like it.

Some lady walks her great big dog on the beach without a leash. She is mature, like 50, in good health, and she obviously doesn't care about the rule at all. I said to her, "did you know that dogs are not allowed on the beach?" as her big mutt was going by. She said yes and smiled and kept going. It was out of character but I said "well why don't you take the dog out of here because I like the fact that dogs are not allowed on the beach?". She said "Are you the police?" as she walked by. OK whatever.

Few minutes later this broad is walking right back down the beach. Her dog comes up and sticks it's nose into our picnic basket. We had just supported the local butcher and purchased some sausages. See why I don't like dogs on the beach?

Posted 2 years ago #
Dog Free Parks
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Hi All: I have been trying to figure out how to instill fear in the minds of dog owners who are just like the person you describe above. Seems that only fear works to prevent people from screwing with their neighbors and other park users. Clearly, there is not enough fear for this particular "entitled" person to behave differently.

So, since the Mayor doesn't want to enforce the law by finding resources to enforce it, and politicians, in general, don't want to offend "poor" dog owners (as if)... and the law is toothless, I think the only way to instill fear is to start a website called rudedogblog.org and allow people to post photos and videos of lawbreakers for the purpose of "outing the jerks."

You get my drift.

The only other method for increasing resources is to pass a bounty hunter law that specifies certain training, etc., for off-leash and/or on-the-beach violations that would allow people to become certified bounty hunters. That is, take photographs and videos of offenders, give them a citation, and partake in a percentage of the fine as personal income. New jobs in a time of downturn. Who could ask for more than that?

Finally, some parks should be dog-free, period, based on the cumulative violations of the law by dog owners. Generally, these should be smaller parks. The upside is that parks were created for people to enjoy "nature," quietness, wilderness, peace, ocean sounds, wind, you name it.... everything BUT dogs pooping at your feet, urinating in front of you, barking and creating chaos in an otherwise, for instance, peaceful sunset scene...

You get my drift, right? Well, only those with half a brain still working and not biased by their dependencies on entertainment, image, or downright spoiledness. Seems everyone wants to grow up to be a brat... it's the American way.

Posted 2 years ago #
Magnums
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Nice to see your message. I think you nicely summarized the attitude of this 50 year old spoiled brat lady. She is probably strolling the beach right now with this dog.

By the way, when it stuck it's nose in our sausages, the lady let out a vile blood-curdling scream "TOSHI". I believe this blog is widely read so someone probably knows the arrogant lady who walks Alki with a dog named Toshi (or Yoshi). She marches up and down with this big dog, short curly dark-haired, looks a bit like a standard poodle.

I was so annoyed with her attitude, and we happened to have a camera on hand, so I did snap pictures of her. I'll be happy to post here if there is a mechanism. I have her, her dog 20 yards in front, with no leash. She is probably a city council member or local government worker, the entitlement attitude seemed familiar...

Posted 2 years ago #
Magnums
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You can see photos of her here on Flickr, I uploaded them just now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40493031@N07/

She walks like Bigfoot, note the resemblance.

Posted 2 years ago #
Trisket
Member Profile

Yes, I can see why you don't like dogs on the beach.

I wonder though if dogs think those filthy humans lying around on the beach are just obstacles to a great run...

Making fun of the way that woman walks is not nice.

Posted 2 years ago #
angelescrest
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I am laughing so hard. These are great photos. The embarrassment!

Posted 2 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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I admire a lady. She is obviously confident and secure.

Posted 2 years ago #
WesCAddle
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LOL. Awesome Pix. The resemblance to Bigfoot is stunning.

Posted 2 years ago #
alki_2008
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The Bigfoot thing was great. Ha!

On topic though, an offleash dog fine is a bit over $100? The fine for having dogs on Alki Beach (whether leashed or not) is "up to $500".

I'll give the woman props for knowingly risking that amount of dough at such a popular beach...but yeah, she really needs to get that dog off the beach and on a leash. Imagine what the dog will do if a seal pup is lying on the beach!

Posted 2 years ago #
Dog Free Parks
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Rude is as rude does... just wondering. I guess no one remembers the term "Goose Step." Check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goose-Step

Ummm... it wasn't just associated with the Nazis. It is a form of step that is intended to denote power, discipline, and is supposed to have an intimidation effect.

You get my drift, right?

Living "above" the law and with disrespect for others... yah, that's the ticket.

As for dogs having the same rights as people. If dogs were so smart, they would learn not to offend animals bigger than them, because in the real world (you know, the animal world) they wouldn't have a chance.

Posted 2 years ago #
ws4ever
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And I thought the red light cameras were scary!This reminds me of "olden days'" citizen's arrest--in the interest of dog-poop-free beaches and marine animal safety, and people and kids' safety, I applaud you for posting this.

Posted 2 years ago #
Duckitude
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Couldn't agree more with Magnums on this one. Kudos for having the guts to post the pics! As you all likely know by now, technology has advanced to the state where you can't get away with perpetrating crimes or being a nuisance, or rude, or inconsiderate to the max in public without being recorded for historical (and sometimes, hysterical) purposes.

The rude wannabes among us don't have a chance anymore of privacy for their rudeness, nor do the brats and criminal wannabes have a the cover of low tech... high tech clearly gives us an opportunity to upgrade civility and respect for others. Quite frankly, IMHO, only fear of being outed will work to modify the behavior of bullies and other assorted jerks.

I, personally, have dozens and dozens of photographs and videos of leash law and on public beach dog owner law breakers, but I won't go down that road of posting them, mostly because, well, dog owners can be ruthless retaliators... watch your back.

Again, kudos to Magnums!

Posted 2 years ago #
swimcat
Member Profile

This is hilarious! I'm glad you posted the pictures of this woman- she should be publicly embarrassed by her arrogance.

I will say that this tactic seems a bit 'vigilante', but as Duckitude stated better than I can, people need to be aware that with technological advances our mistakes and wrong-doings can easily be captured and broadcast for all to see. I would hope this would deter people from being so inconsiderate.

Posted 2 years ago #
cbgirl
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This is so frustrating to read. I sat far away from the beach yesterday in a little grassy spot with my dog on his leash (not at Alki but I've also walked my dog there and have seen it too) while I watched off leash dogs run along the beach. This one dog came and started chewing on the swimming rope. No one did anything. 5 minutes later his owner breezes along and puts him on a leash.
I am so careful with my dog, always bring bags, always take him to the off leash dog park, make sure he is on leash and well behaved in public and then I see or read about people who are the opposite! It's so frustrating! I'm from Oregon (Cannon Beach) where my dog can be off leash and it was a hard adjustment BUT it's the law and it's an issue of basic respect. How hard can it be to follow the rule? My dog is an angel and I'd love to let him off leash but those rules are there for the good of the entire community. Hopefully the lady, who obviously loves her dog and the joy of walking a dog along the beach, will see herself and how rude she is being not only to the people who like no dogs on beaches, but also to those of us who make an effort to follow those rules.

Posted 2 years ago #
Sue
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I was at Alki maybe 2 Saturdays ago, walking on the path between 11 and noon. There were at least half a dozen dogs either running on the sand and/or in the water. Nobody seems to pay any attention to the signs, and probably because they know that there is no enforcement to it.

Posted 2 years ago #
angelescrest
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cbgirl--thank you for saying it so eloquently. Just how I feel.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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i liked the lady's stride... i even liked the picture of the dog running on the beach...

but that doesn't mean i approve of walking your dog off leash on public beaches where they are prohibited.

there are beaches across the sound where she and her dog can legally enjoy the beach off leash.

"everybody else is doing it" didn't work so well as an excuse in my house when i was growing up.. didn't work so well for my kids.. and isn't working for my grandkids... times haven't changed that much.

contrary to what we might all think as we approach our 18th or 21st birthday... you really don't get to do anything you want to when you grow up...

Posted 2 years ago #
Duckitude
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cbgirl: Definitely, such behaviors are more frustrating and problematic for law-abiding and civil dog owners who get "tarred" by the behavior of other not so civil, respectful, or law-abiding dog owners. Thank you for your comments and keep the faith!

Posted 2 years ago #
CMP
Member Profile

I think the next time I see someone at the beach or in a park with an off-leash dog, I'll just tell them I saw an Animal Control employee nearby just to see what kind of reaction I'd get. Doesn't sound like it would intimidate Big Foot though!

Posted 2 years ago #
Kimberley
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Well put cbgirl! We run into off leash dogs constantly when we walk ours in Lincoln Park, the other half has even warned owners when he's seen leash enforcement officials around and the owners have still ignored him.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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i love it when i see the idiot who sped past me pulled over to the side of the road getting a ticket:)

unfortunately that doesn't happen often enough in the park:(

Posted 2 years ago #
B-squared
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Well done, Magnums!!!! perhaps an email to Animal Control is in order, with Flickr link and time/date of infraction. Perhaps if they smell some easy money to be had, they will show up and enforce the law.

Posted 2 years ago #
alki_2008
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Yet another reason for public surveillance cameras on Alki Beach? :)

Posted 2 years ago #
Wednesday
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As an owner of a dog that loves to swim and one who does respect the NO DOGS ON BEACH signs, I've said it before and I'll say it again... if only we dog owners had even just a small piece of beach (that's not 15+ miles away) where it's ok to let our dogs swim, you all would have far less to complain about on this topic. And it doesn't even take much area to do this (just as the off-leash parks with beach areas prove). Just designate an area and we'll use it. Of course, there'll always be those people that will still disregard the law, just like the countless "above the law" drivers of WS that refuse to stop or even slow down for pedestrians. This, in my opinion, is far more dangerous and a much more serious issue than dogs running loose on a beach.

Posted 2 years ago #
Cali101
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Well said, Wednesday. I very much respect the law too. I wish there was more space for us respectful law abiders with dogs to allow our dogs some space to swim and romp about without disturbing those enjoying a picnic, with kids, who simply dislike dogs, etc. We do go to Marymoor for swimming, it just takes a while to get there for WS. :( The offleash dog park in West Seattle is great fun, just no swimming.

Posted 2 years ago #
pam
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There is a great dog walking area on Lake washington at Luther Burbank Park with swimming for dogs. It's quite lovely.

Posted 2 years ago #
Tracy
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Good luck getting Animal Control to come out. I've called them twice recently for such behavior, and all I get is "did you get their license plate number"? I'm like, NO lady, I'm on the BEACH. Sounds like they are seriously underfunded, but they could make bank giving citations.

Posted 2 years ago #
Duckitude
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Hi all: I wish there were off leash areas for dogs close by to the Admiral, Junction and Morgan districts! I once joined COLA to work on getting areas nearby designated as off leash and also a swimming beach. There are potential sites, but there is always the issues of marine sanctuaries, parking, noise, access, etc.

I suggest joining up with COLA and working towards more accessible off-leash areas in West Seattle and a swim area.

My understanding is that one of the obstacles to swimming areas for dogs in Puget Sound is Mayor Nickels... check it out by calling his office and finding out what their position might be for swimming for dogs in Puget Sound.

Best wishes. Dogs deserve better.

Posted 2 years ago #
JimmyG
Member Profile

Classic post Magnums--we should start a "name & shame" thread here on WSB for all of the rude behavior that we find in and around WS.

Posted 2 years ago #