The WSBeat: Stolen-car stop; dog owner threatened; more

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

This edition of The WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?” Or on the bridge, or the beach, or …

*Around 5 p.m. on the 28th, a plainclothes officer radioed that he had run across and was keeping an eye on a car that had been reported as stolen. Three people climbed into the vehicle (parked in the 4100 block of SW Lander) and officers followed it eastbound on Admiral Way, hitting their lights when it pulled near a cafe parking lot under Spokane St. The 20-year-old driver and a 19-year-old female passenger were both West Seattle residents. He had no license and she was already under supervision by the Department of Corrections. Both were booked into King County Jail for investigation of auto theft. He faces additional charges for violating a protection order to stay away from the woman; she faces additional charges for violating probation. The third passenger, a Ballard resident, was released from the precinct.

*On the 24th, in the 4000 block of Beach Drive, a man let his dog out of his apartment. The dog ran up to and started barking at a man who was walking up from the beach. That man yelled, “Get your dog away from me.” The owner called the dog, which responded and stood behind him. The suspect approached and said, “Keep him away from me or I will kill you and the dog.” The yelling continued, and the suspect pushed the victim several times in the chest and dared him to call the police. The suspect was described as a white man, 50-64 years old, about 5’10” with medium build, short brown curly hair. He wore glasses and remains at large.

Four more summaries ahead:

*Around 1 p.m. on the 23rd, officers were dispatched to a possible case of elder abuse or neglect in the 7700 block of 27th SW. They were warned ahead of time that the 53-year-old caregiver son had a history of assaulting officers. The 91-year-old alleged victim opened the door and officers immediately noticed facial bruising and gashes on his head. The man seemed a bit confused but said that he had fallen down the stairs. The son was true to form, became hostile and claimed the officers were in the home illegally. He stated “Dad’s just trying to get me in trouble. He fell down the stairs on Sunday. He’s fine and doesn’t need to go to the hospital.” However, the older man’s injuries did not seem consistent with falling down carpeted stairs and striking a flat wall (that was stained with blood spatter). Officers decided to call a detective to the scene. As dad was transported to the hospital, the upset and agitated son was taken into custody for an outstanding $7,500 warrant for malicious phone harassment. He deliberately lunged from officers’ grasp and twice struck his head on a glass picture frame, shattering it, causing a bloody injury. He then his hit head on the stairwell. He was placed outside on the grass, where he cursed at officers and kicked the medic who tried to treat his wounds, screaming, “Get away!” His response to hearing his Miranda Warnings was a hearty, “F You.” He was taken to Harborview for treatment and was eventually booked into King County Jail where he will also face investigation of nonaggravated assault.

*Just south of the Alaska Junction, a store manager called 911 to report a man kicking garbage cans and vending machines. Officers arrived and identified the suspect, who was wanted on a $10,075 felony warrant for second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission. He was booked into King County Jail for the warrant.

*Late on the 22nd, a man was running in traffic at California SW and SW Raymond. When officers arrived, he had moved southward to a fast-food restaurant where he was frantic, claiming that he was being chased by people with guns and lasers and that he was going to die. Officers cuffed the 44-year-old transient for his own safety and had him transported to Harborview for observation. He admitted that he had schizophrenia and had been off his meds for “quite some time.”

*A man with known mental issues entered the SW Precinct lobby on the 23rd asking for his “wire” that detectives had taken. An ID check showed that he was wanted by the King County Sheriff’s Office on a $3,000 warrant for malicious mischief. He was booked into King County Jail, but not before his possessions, being toted in a child’s jogging stroller, were inventoried: Four sponges, three hair products, one skin tag remover, five music speakers, two bras, six dental bottles, one bottle l’oreal makeup, one ice cube mold, two blankets, one tooth whitening pen, two knives, and one blue handbag.

==============
EDITOR’S NOTES: Remember, the CRISIS CLINIC hotline is a resource for those in crisis, including thoughts or acts of self-harm, or trying to find help for someone in crisis: 206.461.3222 … Previous WSBeat roundups are archived here. We also publish crime reports when we get tips or otherwise hear about noteworthy incidents – they don’t all turn up on the scanner, so please don’t be shy about letting us know when you see/hear something happening = call or text 206-293-6302.

65 Replies to "The WSBeat: Stolen-car stop; dog owner threatened; more"

  • Leash Law Forget It January 30, 2014 (4:25 pm)

    Finally. A person stands up to the off-leash dogs and owners rampant on Beach Drive. Check out Me Kwa Mooks park. Unofficial off-leash doggie owner piggy park. Rules? Get serious. We are rude dog owners who are entitled to our own rules.

  • Putthedogonaleash January 30, 2014 (4:37 pm)

    Don’t really feel that bad for the jerk who just let his dog unsupervised out of the apartment. Put the dog on a leash and clean up after them, people.

  • Veteran Wisdom January 30, 2014 (4:54 pm)

    You ignorant keyboard bullies drive me crazy. A real human and pet’s life were threatened by someone and you focus on the fact that the animal had no leash! Even though the animal followed verbal commands… Sounds like this mentally disturbed person could take a few social behavior cues from the dog.

  • transplantella January 30, 2014 (4:54 pm)

    “He wore glasses and remains at large.”
    .

    If he takes off the glasses they’ll never find him.

  • B January 30, 2014 (4:57 pm)

    Ok haters, I agree with you that it’s annoying to have unleashed dogs, but threatening assault is not the answer.

  • Brian January 30, 2014 (5:18 pm)

    To the man in the glasses. Be careful who you threaten. Had I been walking my dog and you did that the outcome would have been different.

  • Putthedogonaleash January 30, 2014 (5:28 pm)

    Good point. Threats shouldn’t have been issued. However, whether the dog followed verbal commands after threatening another human is immaterial. The idiot who let his dog off a leash should have had physical control of his dog from the get go. The dog was threatening the physical safety of the person who was being accosted by the dog. Having a person yelp at the dog’s owner and threatening his safety as a result of the owner’s disregard for existing laws is not really all that different. Adrenaline flowing and what not, I can see poor choices of words getting mixed in.
    .
    Put the dog on the leash.

  • Putthedogonaleash January 30, 2014 (5:37 pm)

    Brian, hopefully your dog would be on leash while you were walking him. Otherwise, put your dog on a leash.

  • West Seattle Hipster January 30, 2014 (5:37 pm)

    @ Brian – just curious, what would the outcome have been?

  • Doggie Threats January 30, 2014 (5:41 pm)

    “The yelling continued, and the suspect pushed the victim several times in the chest and dared him to call the police.”

    I just want to know who the victim is here. The irresponsible doggie owner, or the person startled and menaced by an illegally off-leash dog.

    I put my money on the irresponsible doggie owner as the culprit here.

  • G January 30, 2014 (5:55 pm)

    I’ve had a few bad experiences with dogs and I’m very cautious/apprehensive around them. Just remember that to some people a dog can threatening. That said, most people are pretty good around here and realize when someone is uncomfortable.

  • AL January 30, 2014 (5:59 pm)

    Wag More-Bark less

    Oh, and wear your collar & leash!!!

  • JustAthought January 30, 2014 (6:04 pm)

    What pet owners don’t consider is that there are also people who are very afraid of dogs. Then there are people like me, who just feel uncomfortable when a strangers dog unexpectedly approaches to sniff my crotch or starts putting their dirty paws and/or noses on my clothes…just because you think wet kisses are funny or cute doesn’t mean I do.
    Even on a leash pet owners will let their dog get close enough to make me uncomfortable. I decided that I am going to carry my pepper spray so that the next time I’m out on a public street or other public place and someone’s dog runs up barking at me, I’ll just spray…no words. That should encourage some masters to get their humans to invest in some training.

  • neighbor January 30, 2014 (6:26 pm)

    in my experience bullies don’t threaten to hurt someone unless they feel comfortable doing so. I think the man with the dog was smaller than the other man who started a physical altercation. Who tells a stranger that he is going to kill them?

  • joel January 30, 2014 (6:37 pm)

    so stolen car story….chick has a protective order against her felony boyfriend and then she’s hanging out with him stealing cars? what a couple those 2 make.

    even though dog owner should keep dog on leash threatening person with death and pushing him can lead to his own death…and these days justifiable in most courts.

  • joel January 30, 2014 (6:38 pm)

    if person was afraid of the dog then it’s highly unlikely he is then going to aggressively pursue the person and his dog like he did.

  • Genesee Hill January 30, 2014 (6:52 pm)

    There are many sidewalks in West Seattle. Many folks enjoy walking these sidewalks WITHOUT having an off-leash/or, even on-leash dog barking like a rabid hyena while walking these/our sidewalks.

    Doggie Owners: Get you beloved precious pals walking the straight and narrow. Or prepare for Doggie Armageddon Backlash. Because, if you do not, it will be forthcoming. I am sick of fascist dog owners and their fascist attack dogs, sniffing one’s butt dogs, and, jumping in the face vermin dogs, in West Seattle.

  • WSince86 January 30, 2014 (6:53 pm)

    As a dog mom, I really have to agree!! My boy is 85 lbs of good dog, ALWAYS on a leash!! And I ALWAYS pick up his poop!!! It’s not that difficult folks!! I hate that he can’t run on the beach, but thems the rules. I respect that not everyone likes dogs. Get over yourselves.

    And please stop when we’re in the crosswalk!!!

  • William January 30, 2014 (7:09 pm)

    Yes finally people!!! Put your dogs on a leash!!! So sick of people and their bully dogs on Alki!!! Why don’t you and your dogs take a hike literally and figuratively !! And pick up your crap please!!!!!

  • Kari January 30, 2014 (7:16 pm)

    I think I had a run in with the dog hater last summer. My dog
    is a whopping 13 lbs and on a leash. The guy needs a chill pill.
    All you dog haters are the reason why I prefer dogs over humans. I can understand those who’ve had past bad experiences, but the others, please. Get over it. We dog people have to put up with your cranky attitudes and bratty, ill behaved children. You don’t see dog people get angry at children, insisting they be leashed or caged and kept away. Even though most of them should. Be nice, humans.

  • Alki resident January 30, 2014 (7:28 pm)

    I remember when a neighbor dog would walk half a block every day to come greet us kids when we got home from school. These days its all the horror if a dog if off leash. I remember back in the day when people were friendly towards each other and not so uptight about everything. What a world we live in today, it’s pretty sad how people treat each other anymore.

  • Just some dude January 30, 2014 (7:35 pm)

    Treat your pets not as accessories but rather like they were your children: Do not wait for them to get in to trouble and then defend them, prevent them from getting in to trouble in the first place.

  • laeti January 30, 2014 (7:45 pm)

    @Kari:Even better then dog haters, now children haters, really??

    While I don’t approve agressivity, dogs really should be on a leash. Dogs remain animals and can be dangerous, you never know, even if the dog has always be well behaved. It’s also for their own security, lots of cars backing out their driveways; driving fast on Beach drive

  • Alki Bee January 30, 2014 (7:48 pm)

    Kari: A. There is no such thing as “dog people.” There are people and there are dogs. Your dog is not your child, it is your pet.
    B. A person is not a “dog hater” because he/she does not want to be threatened by someone’s dog on a street or a beach or in a park where leash laws are in effect. C. No one has to put up with anyone’s children, bratty or otherwise, if they threaten to harm us. Haven’t heard of any incidents of children biting pedestrians, putting hands on pedestrians, or sniffing their body parts, or parents failing to pick up their children’s poop.

  • Get serious January 30, 2014 (7:56 pm)

    @Kari
    “You don’t see dog people get angry at children, insisting they be leashed or caged and kept away. Even though most of them should.”
    What planet do you come from or do you seriously think that was an intelligent comment? Cage children?

  • carole January 30, 2014 (8:38 pm)

    I am not a dog hater, but I avoid even leashed dogs who approach me because of allergies. Dog hair transferred from my clothes to my skin creates almost instant hives. Think of people like me, don’t assume I hate dogs if I avoid yours like the plague.

  • Mike January 30, 2014 (8:42 pm)

    The other day I was jogging with my dog (on a leash). A stray dog ran up to us, tail wagging, and smiling. He wanted to go for a run too. We stopped. They sniffed each other. I looked at the dogs collar and called the #. A lady came running up and thanked me for stopping. Everyone went home happy and safe. Like good neighbors do for each other.

    Everyone posting about how your so offended and scared of dogs need to seriously get a life or stay inside.

  • bestbets January 30, 2014 (8:47 pm)

    We never seem to be able to solve the dog issues…I had to re-read the story to figure out who the “suspect” was, the man who was letting his dog run around off leash which is illegal, or as I figured out, the man who subsequently threatened the dog owner for letting his dog harass someone (which is also illegal). I have dogs – and except for in my house/fenced yard, I keep them on a leash. I also am a Seal Sitter, and continually have to tell people who have walked past the many signs saying so, that it is illegal (and a danger to wildlife) to have their dogs on the beach, leashed or not – I try to ask them nicely and I get tired of the mostly sarcastic responses, but there are a small percentage of jerks and I imagine there always will be. Don’t be a jerk.

  • CMT January 30, 2014 (8:57 pm)

    That elder abuse story breaks my heart. What will become of the dad? :(

  • alki resident January 30, 2014 (9:01 pm)

    Thank you Mike, there used to be tons of people just like you in West Seattle. Those days are pretty much gone.

  • Alki Bee January 30, 2014 (9:02 pm)

    Mike, we pay taxes and obey laws. We also have lives, which we value. So don’t tell us to stay inside. That’s just ridiculous and sarcastic and mean-spirited.

  • mike January 30, 2014 (9:45 pm)

    Dogs off leash is dangerous , illegal and completely ignored by law enforcement. Dog owners; PUT YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH and KEEP THEM OFF THE BEACH. Seattle PD, Animal control: do something about this! How can you justify ignoring it?

  • Tanya January 30, 2014 (9:51 pm)

    I think the dogs need to put leashes on the people, obviously.

  • Robin January 30, 2014 (10:01 pm)

    West West Seattle could use an off leash park.

  • G January 30, 2014 (10:04 pm)

    CMT,

    These elder abuse stories are just nightmarish. There was a case of horrific abuse – murder in my opinion – in West Seattle a few years ago. I still get upset every time I see the individual bicycling around, free as a bird.

  • AmandaKH January 30, 2014 (10:19 pm)

    So let me get this straight. It’s NOT acceptable to have your dog off a leash, but it IS acceptable to threaten to kill someone, and physically assault them? Sorry, an off leash, well behaved dog is NOT the problem here.

  • Interrobang January 30, 2014 (10:53 pm)

    I feel as if some are taking the wrong message home here: to echo B and others, the issue is less so the person who let his dog out and more about the assault and threats. I agree, dogs should be on leashes unless designates as such. Regardless, touching someone and threatening them is a poor way to deal with the situation. Also, Brian: I feel like your way of dealing with the situation is… harmful. I’m very glad to hear the complainant did not respond with more than words. You should re-examine your tact perhaps.

    Dog Debate 2014 aside….

    I was so sad to hear of the elderly man being abused, I am SO happy someone was paying attention and complained! Kudos to you person, whomever you are. Elder abuse is so common, and so under-reported — this person likely saved a life. Hopefully his wounds are being treated and he being provided better caregivers.
    So, quick PSA: Know your neighbors folks! If you see something, please say something, heck, even if you suspect it. This population is very vulnerable, and injuries become life threatening very quickly.

  • Anne January 31, 2014 (12:12 am)

    That guy who threatened the dog owner is secretly my hero. About time somebody does something about all the irresponsible dog owners who let their dogs run free, the police clearly don’t care. I am so tired of being afraid to walk in my neighourhood and take my kid to the park because of all the lose dogs (and their poop). Too many times have dogs run towards me and my kid, sometimes barking. 2 weeks ago I was attacked by 2 dogs, one bit my ankle to blood! Luckily my kid was in the stroller. And last year a dog ran after me and a friend and ruined my friends pants. I don’t hate dogs. I love dogs that I know and dogs on leash, but I really hate all the dog owners who think it is cool to have their dog run about and scare people!

  • Alphonse January 31, 2014 (12:54 am)

    @Alki Bee – Your WS neighborhood must be much different than my WS neighborhood. I deal with feral children dropping trash and half eaten food, screaming, fighting each other, trampling my plants and generally causing mayhem on a regular basis. I constantly have to walk off the sidewalk to avoid getting mowed down by members of the Mommy Mafia pushing double strollers who would be absolutely appalled if anyone challenged their divine right to take up all available space anywhere, anytime. And yes, I’ve actually found a dirty diaper on the sidewalk more than once.

  • GrowUpDogHaters January 31, 2014 (1:03 am)

    Its amazing to see the dog hate in liberal Seattle. About a year ago I moved from Seattle to Paris france. No leash laws, but very strict liability laws. IE if my dog bites you its like me biting you. And I have seen very few aggressive dogs here and all have been on a leash. All other dogs are just fine.

    Folks need to get a grip

  • William January 31, 2014 (1:07 am)

    Anne thanks for posting!!!! It’s like you can’t even walk or board bike down Alki without dogs barking chasing and biting in Annes case how about DOG LANES !!

  • fiona enzo January 31, 2014 (6:38 am)

    So sorry to hear about the horribly abused elder at the hands of his violent son. Elder abuse is going on all around us — report what you suspect and stop years of suffering.
    ——-
    My dog does does not like strange dogs running up to him -and owners are oblivious saying, “my dog’s friendly.” My dog isn’t friendly with strange dogs and will react loudly — please leash your dog. They are not walking sedately by your side — they’re excited at the park and it is a 50/50 shot that they will obey commands. And it stresses me and my dog to figure out what will happen next. Stop ruining my walks by stressing me out with your unleashed dog. It’s city property — not your private property. And of course physical threats of harm are unacceptable — I am not at all condoning this aggressive person’s threat.

  • Interesting January 31, 2014 (7:32 am)

    It’s frankly a little horrifying that the story that has gotten people most upset is about leashing a dog. Elder abuse is one thing, but seriously, unleashed dogs? That’s gotta stop.

  • Kayleigh January 31, 2014 (8:40 am)

    This comment thread may be the most embarrassing one I’ve ever read on this blog.
    .
    What will become of the abused elderly man? Are there any relatives or friends that can help him?

  • AM January 31, 2014 (8:42 am)

    Wow. That’s all I can say. Any of you that think it’s acceptable to threaten someone with death b/c their dog was off leash is certifiable. That’s the problem nowadays; most people are too sensitive and can’t handle the reality of life. Get something more interesting to threaten killing someone over.

  • JTB January 31, 2014 (9:58 am)

    Never talk to strangers—-at least when one or both are riled up over some perceived slight.
    I suppose it’s a sign of the times that is serves to imagine the other might be armed, crazy, or both. Kudos to the dog owner for walking away from the person who assaulted him.

  • DogsAreNotPeople January 31, 2014 (12:01 pm)

    @ Kayleigh – I agree, it’s really embarrassing that WSea-ers actually think animals have the same rights as children. What fantasy land do people like Kari live in? She has to deal with ill behaved children? I have to deal with your living deadly weapon threatening my children. I will win, in and out of court, EVERY SINGLE TIME.

    Allergies are not a trivial thing – if your dog jumps on me and I have to jam an epi-pen into my leg, is that cool? We have leash laws for a reason, and the scofflaw dog owners just don’t get it, or just don’t care.

    IF your out of control dog looks like a threat, I will contain said threat, period. I care not what you think you may do as a result.

    The man who released his dog committed assault, and the man who threatened and pushed him in return committed assault. Do you want to be someone who routinely commits assault? How about assault with a deadly weapon? Read people, read – letting your dog run free, run up to people, and scare them IS ASSAULT. It doesn’t matter if YOU don’t think they should be scared, it’s assault.

    “The crime of assault generally consists of putting a person in fear of a battery (i.e., an unlawful touching). Therefore this crime can occur even without the dog biting a person. The necessary element is the action or threat that creates the fear. Assault with a deadly weapon is serious crime. For example, California Penal Code section 245 provides that any person who commits an assault with a deadly weapon or instrument other than a firearm, or by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, may be punished by imprisonment in state prison for two, three, or four years; or county jail not exceeding one year; or by a fine not exceeding $10,000; or by both the fine and imprisonment.”

  • Wild One January 31, 2014 (12:15 pm)

    Too many allergies and phobias here these days. And it sucks that our society actually caters to them.
    I won’t comment on what my response would be to an irate person who threatened to kill me and a member of my family but just know that by doing that you have just opened yourself up to a whole range of possibilities.
    The dog owner deserved a ticket and probably deserved to be scolded a bit but not a death threat. Don’t go there. You will regret it.
    I don’t get why people on here want to side with the “death threat guy” as if he’s your hero. That’s ridiculous.

  • Dismayed January 31, 2014 (12:20 pm)

    Phew, I’m glad the uproar about unleashed dogs took the spotlight away from my addict son and his addict felon girlfriend, who is too lazy to get to the courthouse and revoke a Protection Order. Perhaps if we were more concerned about what is happening to our youth in this community we could actually help kids rather than see them as repeated offenders.

  • Teri Ensley January 31, 2014 (12:27 pm)

    Please keep us posted on the 91 year old’s condition and situation. Hope that the hospital does a thorough exam for signs of consistent abuse, and if present, remove him from his son’s ‘care’. Then authorities can perform a full investigation as to whether the son is an abuser or not.

    Elder abuse is a much overlooked crime in our society….for so many reasons.

  • DogsAreNotPeople January 31, 2014 (12:31 pm)

    @ WildOne – you are so woefully wrong I’m embarrassed for you while reading your comment.
    The dog owner committed assault – fact.
    The dog/person threaten-er committed assault – fact.

    Who committed assault first? Dog owner. Who committed the worse offense? Neither – both are considered misdemeanor assault.
    Who is in the right? Neither.
    So to defend the dog owner is every bit as wrong as defending the guy who threatened it.

    Who had a deadly weapon? The dog owner.

    The dog owner deserves a scolding for releasing a deadly weapon on an unsuspecting person – really?
    I hope, for the sake of your dog, you learn something today. You will get your dog hurt by pretending you and it have the right to threaten others. People like me will send it back to you in a bag. Try me.

  • AmandaKH January 31, 2014 (1:51 pm)

    @DogsAreNotPeople. No where in that report did it say the dog jumped on the man or bit the man. It says the dog barked at him. Barking is NOT assault. Pushing someone in the chest however IS assault. The dog barked at the guy, the owner called it back, and it came. Then, instead of just walking away, that guy chose to assault the dog owner. Sorry, but your rant is misplaced, threatening and overly dramatic.

  • alki resident January 31, 2014 (2:09 pm)

    @Dismayed- There’s no mention of anyone being an addict. But, it does mention they are both adults. I learned at a young age that drugs are bad and addicting, so ,I never tried them. Im sure you’re dealing with a lot with these two but it’s up to them to get help. Obviously, she is crying wolf and wasting courts time with getting protection orders as a lot of people do. Maybe they both need to be locked up for a good period of time so they can see the light. I don’t feel sorry for people who go down the path of being career criminals but Im highly affected by them when they steal my stuff that I worked so hard for.

  • AM January 31, 2014 (2:36 pm)

    Thank you, Dismayed!

  • Carrie Ann January 31, 2014 (2:54 pm)

    Ok, now people on both sides of the dog issue are making obvious threats to harm/kill?!?!

    Enough.

  • Neighbor January 31, 2014 (4:32 pm)

    Domestic violence can be complicated for the victim. If she had a protection order against him, we need more information before blaming the young woman. Yes, sounds like she is in trouble for other issues but it may not be easy for her to get awy from her abuser.

  • Wild One January 31, 2014 (5:29 pm)

    @DogsAreNotPeople you should actually be embarrassed for your own comment. It makes me feel like I am being barked at by an angry and neurotic dog.

  • Wild One January 31, 2014 (7:17 pm)

    I’m actually embarrassed by the first 2 sentences of my first comment. I was kind of ticked off and it was rude. Sorry. The rest I stand by.

  • WSince86 January 31, 2014 (7:23 pm)

    Good lordamighty! You’ve all gone bizerk!

  • Cait January 31, 2014 (8:41 pm)

    There’s a story on here about ELDER ABUSE and all you people are talking about is a damn offleash dog. RE-EVALUATE YOUR LIVES. Every single one of you who is on here so much as mentioning an offleash dog instead of lamenting the abuse of a person, you need to stop and really think about why you read this blog. Is it for community and information or is it to berate each other for the same old BS?

    WE GET IT. OFFLEASH DOGS = BAD. The more you beat that dead horse the less I honestly care about the issue. I agree that owners need to take every precaution to keep their dog on a leash – but the users on this blog have made me not give a damn about it anymore. I don’t want to be lumped in with you.

  • Mike January 31, 2014 (11:09 pm)

    As a dog owner who walks their dog on leash with registration tags on collar and multiple poop bags at the ready, I’m always annoyed to hear stories of careless dog owners purposely letting their dogs off leash in the non-dog park areas or their own fenced yard in Seattle.
    .
    As for the verbal and physical assault by the non-dog owner, they made the wrong choice of reactions. If the dog had kept on them, then yes they should be free to protect themselves. I’ve come close to kicking dogs that have charged my dog. I wouldn’t even need to wait to kick and throw a dog if it charges my kids. That said, the dog did respond to the owners calls and returned to them. That’s when the person without the dog decided to attack the dog owner. Now the game has changed. If I am verbally then physically assaulted for any reason, I’ll respond with the same x 10.

  • Rational Response February 1, 2014 (12:00 am)

    The elder abuse case is the one that matters most within this group of stories, but there’s nothing really to say about it except that I’m sure we all wish that both the father who was abused and the clearly mentally ill son get some help so that the abuse stops. The abusive relationship/stolen car case is the next most important because it involves young people who are making some really bad choices and are going to hurt themselves or others more seriously in the future, but other than that, again, not much to say. They are in custody. So, in the absence of being able to rant about something or because they apparently have nothing better to do with their lives, people rant about off leash dogs. Yep – THAT is what is ruining Seattle, increasing crime, destroying our otherwise fabulous lives, etc. Off leash dogs who are doing nothing but being off leash and barking (at least in this story), and possibly pooping (which is not in the story either).

    As many have posted, the dog owner shouldn’t have let the dog out. Maybe it was inadvertent maybe not – no one on this thread knows the reason – but instead of just assuming it was probably not intended to happen or that it most certainly wasn’t intended to harm or threaten or scare anyone – too many of your conjecture that the owner is some sort of dog owner criminal setting his dog loose on the unsuspecting world in order to scare people by barking and pooping apparently all over the entirety of Alki! The horror of it all!

    The facts we do know are that the dog owner acted responsibly and IMMEDIATELY to get the dog back into the house and under control, and it worked. But that’s not enough for the haters. HE MUST BE PUNISHED! SEVERELY!! There are several of you implying that you would have seriously physically harmed him for a bark and argue that it would be justified. I can guarantee you, having worked on cases involving alleged dog behavior that actually caused a person an injury, that no prosecutor is going to waste his or her precious time on a matter so trivial as a bark. I can also guarantee that in the event you decide to take the law into your own hands and harm a person and/or an animal because of a bark, YOU will be charged with a crime. And for those among you who think you know the law, like the guy who cited the CA Penal Code which is entirely irrelevant in WA, an assault is the “threat of bodily harm coupled with an apparent, present ability to cause the harm”. But there must be a likelihood that the harm will actually occur and you generally are expected to take action to avoid the harm if you are able. Nothing but a dog barking without more is unlikely to meet this standard.

    The man who made the threat, on the other hand, not only likely committed an assault, but he also probably committed a battery because he actually touched the dog owner.

    Both men did something wrong here, but thank God neither of them took it to the level that some of you dream about here because then we might have 2 dead or incarcerated men and a dog and even those of you out for bloodlust could rejoice and dance on their graves, but that makes you the sick ones.

    There’s no question that EVERYONE should be picking up their dogs’ poop. Period. But failing to do so does not equate to a high crime for God’s sake! It’s disgusting and disrespectful but not a felony. And that can happen whether the dog is on or off leash so how this became part of the discussion demonstrates that many of you were just looking for a place to rant because you wanted to rant and it had nothing to do with the criminal case described.

    As for people who sometimes let their dogs off leash, it depends upon where they are for the level of inappropriateness for God’s sake! In a crowded area – absolutely not! In an isolated area where no one else is around? What’s the big deal – assuming that the dog will respond to a command so it doesn’t bother anyone else? Of course when another person comes along, the dog should be under the control of the owner.

    I own two dogs and when I walk them they are on leashes almost always and I carry poop bags and use them. I try to move out of the way for other people walking on the sidewalk and otherwise be respectful of other people and the fact that they might not want to be around my dogs. But sometimes I let my dogs off leash in a place where no one else is around and I use commands to make sure that they stay near me and away from other people and creatures. Does this make me rise to the criminal level of a batterer, as some of you have ranted? No – it does not. It makes me a person who is trying to live and enjoy my life and be respectful of the lives of others. Period.

    As for those of you with dog allergies, I am sorry about that (I have other allergies too and they can be awful) but your physical or mental problems do not require the entire world – most of whom do not even know you or your “needs” – to go overboard to accommodate you. The world does not revolve around you. I know this may be news to SOME of you, but it’s true. I do not let my dogs rub up against people who I don’t know and who do want them to do so allergy or not. However, at some point in time, while I am trying to get out of the way with my dogs, their long tails or some other body part MIGHT accidentally touch you. This does NOT equate to a battery or invasion of your space any more than my inadvertently rubbing against someone while wearing perfume to which they are allergic. Does the fact that some people are very allergic to peanuts mean that I can only eat them in my home in an allergy free zone? I can’t walk down the street with a PB&J because I might walk by someone with an allergy? I am sorry you have these physical issues but the world does not revolve around you and your issues and you do not have the right to move through the world as you want to with everyone else dancing to your tune. Please do try to remember that.

    For those people with dog phobias, the world also does not resolve around you. If I had a phobia about men with beards, that does not mean that I can demand that they move to the other side of the street because I am uncomfortable or afraid of them. As I noted above, as a respectful and responsible dog owner, I try my best to keep my dogs away from other people who I do not know. Even when people invite my dogs to be petted or to get attention, I am careful about that process as well so that they do not overwhelm or overstay their welcome. But again, this does not mean that when trying to move out of the way to share space in common areas such as sidewalks or paths, there might not be some times when my dogs get close to you. They are allowed to be out in the world with me and I am not required to remain locked in my house with them because you have a phobia any more than the bearded men would have to stay locked inside if I am out and about. Please try to remember that your phobias do not dictate the manner in which others operate in the world.

  • WSB February 1, 2014 (12:46 am)

    RR, thank you. Your first point is one we find ourselves making sometimes, when people express shock that some horrible story has few or no comments while something less horrifying/important/etc. has many more … sometimes there’s just nothing to say. Doesn’t mean no one cares. Same goes for stories about people in the community, all ages, doing good deeds … while we think it would be great if everyone all took a sec to say WTG! we know they’re THINKING it, so a lack of comments doesn’t mean a lack of caring. – Tracy

  • Cait February 1, 2014 (11:27 pm)

    Oh, like there’s anything productive to be said about the dog situation? OK.

  • redblack February 2, 2014 (7:57 am)

    kayleigh:
    .
    This comment thread may be the most embarrassing one I’ve ever read on this blog.
    .
    yeah. at least since the dog-poop-in-your-neighbor’s-trash-can forum thread. (seems to be a pattern of behavior here…)
    .
    …or the 35th ave road diet comments.
    .
    …or the amanda knox story comments.
    .
    …or arguing over the deep bore tunnel.
    .
    but, yeah, it’s up there.

Sorry, comment time is over.