WEST SEATTLE SCENE: King County Water Taxi’s new pet policy unleashed

| King County Water Taxi | Pets | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

No, the dogs aren’t unleashed, just the policy. A few canine companions of Metro employees joined King County Executive Dow Constantine at a brief Seacrest event this morning to spotlight the new policy allowing dogs (leashed) and cats (in carriers) aboard the King County Water Taxi. We mentioned the policy change on Tuesday. What about other pets? readers wondered, so we asked. Maybe down the road, Metro says. We also asked whether this really entailed more than just saying hey, guess what, you can bring your dog or cat aboard. Answer: Yes – it required U.S. Coast Guard approval, because of capacity limits. You can read the full KCWT pet policy (just one page long) here.

Side note – independent of the new policy, one dog had a backstory:

Jim is holding KC Metro, adopted after being found, abandoned, on board a Metro Route 36 bus.

StopCuttingDownTrees January 12, 2022 (2:50 pm)

Wonderful news.

Kathy January 12, 2022 (3:39 pm)

OMG, about time. It was so strange that they were allowed on the shuttle, then when you got to the boat, they were banned. Thank you, KC Metro!

🤦‍♂️ January 12, 2022 (4:26 pm)

Dogs were illegal on metro buses but maybe the policy changed. I guess I am glad I don’t ride the water taxi. I bet there will be off leash dogs aboard and owners who aren’t in control if their dogs. Both illegal. This policy opens up the county to lawsuits if anyone is bitten, as well as the dog owner. WSB has been a meeting point for discussions about problems with dogs as long as I have been reading (about 16 years). Pardon me for my dislike of dogs and owners but getting bitten multiple times and having the same dogs chase my children will do that to a person. The owners all cowardly left the scene and Animal Control never found them.

Mark B January 13, 2022 (12:09 pm)

No, the story clearly states that dogs on board will be required to be leashed.

bloo January 12, 2022 (5:33 pm)

Has there been any mention of a fare for dogs? I used to take my golden retriever on the bus and had to pay full fare for both of us.

Mj January 12, 2022 (6:05 pm)

And of course, Rover would be on a leash!

davidB January 12, 2022 (10:09 pm)

This is great news! Finally, I can bring my sweet girls to visit my daughter in her downtown apartment. Quick question, I assume masks are required for pets?

Tracey January 13, 2022 (7:31 am)

Woo Hoo! Who let the dogs out! Apparently, Dow did. Seattle has such strict leash laws, etc. This is great news for dog owners. If we want to get rid of our car dependent society, we need to recognize how and why people need their cars. One giant leap forward. Thanks KC. And I don’t even own a dog. And for those commenters who are allergic. I am very allergic to dust mites and last time I checked, dust was permitted on the water taxi.