Here’s how many animal complaints Seattle Park Rangers get – and how few citations they issue

| Pets | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(From recent photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

If you’re heading out to see this afternoon’s mega-low tide, don’t take your dog.

Not just because dogs are not allowed on city beaches, but also because it’s not good for the vulnerable sealife exposed when the tide goes so far out.

Despite all that, dogs on beaches – and in other Seattle parks – are the number one source of complaints that city Park Rangers deal with.

That’s according to a briefing the city Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners got at their most recent meeting, including this slide with the newest data on complaints, responses, and enforcement:

The head of the Park Rangers program, Jon Jainga, brought the board some stats – including that they’ve received more than 1,600 animal complaints this year (through May), and isued seven citations. That ratio is not just because the ranger program is lightly staffed – 28 rangers for more than 500 parks and other facilitie, plus 125+ of trails, as Jainga reminded the board – but also because they believe warnings and other forms of education are most effective. Promoting “voluntary compliance” is the rangers’ main role.

(We should note that the briefing just dealt with rangers; Seattle Animal Shelter officers’ role was not part of it.)

CarDriver June 16, 2026 (12:03 pm)

What the city is actually saying is: “We absolutely don’t care about dogs on the beach. We’re paid to pretend we care about the law on the books”. And, by the way their “education” has been and continues to be ignored.

Jeff June 16, 2026 (12:26 pm)

That is the most asinine policy I’ve ever heard. Might as well close the department, save the money, and let the community scream into the void (and at each other).

Julie June 16, 2026 (2:08 pm)

I don’t understand why they think dogs do more damage and harm to sea life on the beach? In all honesty people do more damage and harm to the sea life on beaches when they overturn rocks to see what underneath the rocks and don’t put the rocks back , like leaving rocks overturned and the creatures living on the rocks or under the rocks might then die. I’m more concerned about stepping on broken glass and nails and garbage that are left behind by humans and stepping on hot coals or hot wood that is buried underneath sand.
- Woof June 17, 2026 (7:59 am)
  
  What a ridiculous comparison.
  The beach and parks are for people.
  Dog parks are for dogs for many reasons.
  At the beach people do not urinate and defecate in the sand like dogs doo.
  Most people do not chase native wildlife and birds like dogs do.
  Most people do not run up, sniff and jump on others.
- KinesthesiaAmnesia June 17, 2026 (3:02 pm)
  
  I’ve seen off-leash, also leashed, dogs attack baby seals on city beaches during pupping season. Not the dogs’ faults at all. There’s probably lots of other good reasons for keeping doggos off our beaches, like poop and its germs and nitrates polluting our waterways.

Westieeeee June 16, 2026 (12:33 pm)

They should honestly ticket more and camp out on the Lincoln park beaches on weekend mornings. It’s insane how many people ignore the signs and take their dogs on the beach every morning – and often repeat offenders. Why are we so scared to fine people? They broke the rules, they should pay. Otherwise no one will ever learn the lesson.

Sarah June 16, 2026 (5:53 pm)

I’ve politely and impassionately informed people of the rule when they were standing with their dogs looking at the signs and also watching people with dogs on the beach. Just a simple “Yes, dogs aren’t allowed on the beach.” Each time they’ve continued to take their dogs onto the beach.

bobonalki June 16, 2026 (12:42 pm)

Park rangers could keep a chip reader to keep track of how many times the same dog/owner have been asked to leave the beach. First time warning. Second time small fine. Third time large fine to be paid on the spot or dog is confiscated and taken to the pound. problem solved.

KT June 16, 2026 (12:57 pm)

“…they believe warnings and other forms of education are most effective. Promoting “voluntary compliance” is the rangers’ main role…”Absolutely ridiculous.

Damon June 17, 2026 (9:58 am)

If only the city had the same policy for paying taxes and red light tickets. Seems to be no shortage of staff to enforce those violations.

Al June 16, 2026 (1:31 pm)

This is why we don’t really need dog parks —every park is a dog park! The city is being pretty clear that they have no intention of enforcing these rules, other than a small number of verbal warnings with no consequence. So do whatever you want, the rules don’t apply.

dog park June 16, 2026 (3:28 pm)

As a person with a dog who follows the rules: we do actually need more dog parks, but that’s not an excuse for those who can’t follow the rules. They’ll probably be a menace at dog parks too.

HTB June 16, 2026 (1:35 pm)

It’s a really pathetic person who complains about someone else’s dog…

CarDriver June 16, 2026 (2:12 pm)

HTB. You must be one of those people with their dog off leash at the beach proud of your entitlement.
Westwood June 16, 2026 (2:32 pm)

Found one of the violators for you…
k June 16, 2026 (2:35 pm)

Do you feel that way about all complaints, or just complaints against problematic dogs?
Lauren June 16, 2026 (3:00 pm)

My leashed dog has been attacked, twice, by someone else’s off-leash dog (two different dogs). This isn’t just a “Karen” thing, allowing unleashed dogs in city parks is an actual quality-of-life issue.
Christopher B. June 16, 2026 (3:11 pm)

No. What’s pathetic is grown adults who are too selfish to abide by the law. I was down at Lowman Beach during the last low tide and noticed a couple with three unleashed dogs on the beach. One of them chased after a blue heron that was hunting for food. So not only did that heron (a species that is supposed to be on the beach, unlike the well-fed dog that is artificially introduced) cease feeding, but it had to expend calories to fly away from the dog. There are legitimate reasons that laws were put into place. Antisocial people who cannot comprehend the actual harm they do by ignoring laws that apply to everyone ought to stay at home.
PDiddy June 16, 2026 (3:50 pm)

I have seen unleashed dogs harassing seals. So complaining about someones dog is absolutely legit. What is annoying is how entitled dog owners are.
Duh June 16, 2026 (6:59 pm)

Nobody’s complaining about someone else’s dogs. They’re complaining about irresponsible dog owners. It’s the equivalent of parents who let their kids run screaming around a restaurant and then think everyone else is rude for not tolerating it.
Lisa June 17, 2026 (4:28 pm)

@HTB – Except when an off-leash dog decides to jump on you or in front of you. As a runner, I’ve had more dogs leap at me more times than I can count. And I went down on my motorcycle once when a dog ran into the road in front of me. “My dog never does that,” is that usual response.

David Bryant June 16, 2026 (2:09 pm)

Doggies, doggies, doggies everywhere! Doggies on the beaches, doggies in the parks, doggies on school play fields,doggies in grocery stores, doggies in restaurants, doggies in cafes, doggies in the library, and even doggies in the gym! Doggies urinating, defecating, fouling lawns and sidewalks. More doggies than children under 18 in both Seattle and King County.Fine ALL transgressors exorbitantly and increase licensing fees for doggies to provide a source of revenue for our public schools.

tara June 16, 2026 (10:35 pm)

Agree with David Bryant 100%
mark June 18, 2026 (1:59 pm)

Sounds like a great policy for Sound Transit too.

ActuallyMike June 16, 2026 (2:15 pm)

Ah–the few, the proud, the entitled scofflaws. Yeah, any city park on pretty much any day. It’s complete BS to pretend that Seattle is managing this situation well. Or at all. And no, HTB, I’m not complaining about someone else’s dog–none of this is the dogs’ fault. I’m complaining about the dog owners, and about the feckless city for which we pay so much.

Fan of Kelp Forests June 16, 2026 (2:16 pm)

It would be useful to post signs in ways that people could read them. Lots of signs.

PDiddy June 17, 2026 (9:50 am)

They have sights on the play fields in Delridge park in multiple places that dogs are not allowed on the field yet there they are almost every day. Often a group of them meet there.

Marcus June 16, 2026 (2:35 pm)

Short leash, okay for the beach.🦮

Lauren June 16, 2026 (3:01 pm)

It is literally not ok, it’s the law to keep your dog off the beach. Why is this so hard for people?
Odd son June 16, 2026 (3:03 pm)

It’s not. No dogs, leashed or not. Same goes for athletic fields and play structures.
Ly June 16, 2026 (10:05 pm)

No. No dogs on the beach, period. Do you understand?
Mellow Kitty June 19, 2026 (11:57 am)

It. Is. Illegal. To. Have. Dogs. On. The. Beach.

Anne June 16, 2026 (2:36 pm)

A big NO on the next parks levy-they obviously have nincompoops running the place.

Kyle June 16, 2026 (6:34 pm)

They have a Parks district now, so they don’t need to send a new levy for a vote to raise taxes. We spend triple the national avg per resident on parks. But we can’t spend a few thousand dollars for the bucket feature this summer at Highland Park spray park. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/seattle-parks-rank-high-nationally-but-it-doesnt-come-cheap/

Bird Poop Hater June 16, 2026 (2:41 pm)

Are Park Rangers the right avenue for complaining about pigeon feeding? We know someone who feeds dozens to hundreds of pigeons every day in West Seattle.

Star55 June 16, 2026 (3:49 pm)

What about the harassment of the Eagles, herons, seals???

North Admiral Cyclists June 16, 2026 (4:00 pm)

I wish education could be the answer, but too many people only look at the world through their own eyes. They don’t think about the dog owner whose dog is stressed out by an off leash dog running around (leash anxiety, it’s a thing), and the trouble that causes others. Not to mention the sanitation aspects of dogs running loose on beaches where kids play in the sand, etc. The flexi-leashes (10 plus feet long, and also in violation of city code) are worse in my view, as they are a safety hazard to those of us riding bikes, and can result in the same stress for other dogs on legal length leashes.

matt June 16, 2026 (5:49 pm)

I think Seattle should model its dog beach policy after San Diego: provide specific off leash dog Beach areas where dog owners can take their dogs and then strictly ban/enforce outside the off leash dedicated area.I think it’s a win for dog owners, it’s a win for non dog owners, and if it is planned carefully can have manageable impacts to wildlife.

WS since 2008 June 18, 2026 (7:48 am)

Good idea! They need to try something new, because obviously the current policy isn’t working.
mark June 18, 2026 (2:02 pm)

Luther Burbank on Mercer Island. Marymoor in Redmond. Both have water access for dogs.

Rob June 16, 2026 (6:01 pm)

It’s funny how people here complain about dogs on the beach harassing seals birds and damaging sea life. All the while humans in big boots out during low tide trampoling everything around them. I’ve seen the humans get to close to seals an birds. But the groups of people walking all over all the small sea creatures is the hypocrisy

Lisa June 16, 2026 (9:20 pm)

It is unacceptable behavior to let dogs on beaches where they are prohibited. It is not something that we can fine away. Fines just make it legal for people to do it for a fee.The city really does lack beach access zoned exclusively for dogs. It is sad to have a well-behaved, leashed dog in a park that ends near a beach that you can’t enjoy. People love their pets and will continue to do it. We can figure out a way to effectively guide the behavior into something more socially acceptable. We aren’t stupid people. We can find effective solutions to our problems.

1994 June 16, 2026 (9:30 pm)

Hmmmm…..seems very similar to other ongoing issues the city has like enforcing no camping in the city for starters, rarely ticketing cars with expired license plate tabs, lack of traffic enforcement….instead of enforcing the rules just let things slide…

Arkady June 17, 2026 (12:41 am)

As a volunteer beach naturalist I can tell you that all you people stomping around during low tide this past week did far more damage to our marine ecosystem than any of the dogs did.

I can also say you’re all super mean to each other here. I encourage you to stop wasting your one precious life yelling on the Internet and go talk to your neighbors as human beings instead. This is heartbreaking.

For my part, if your dog is on a short leash and not jumping around, they’re welcome to say hi to me on the beach and get head scratches!

Yaaaas June 17, 2026 (9:30 am)

Agreed on all accounts. So much mean on here all the time.
Odd son June 17, 2026 (2:05 pm)

Please don’t encourage unlawful behavior, especially as a beach naturalist. People are frustrated with an ongoing problem. The only nastiness I see, as it relates to this subject, is when people talk to people breaking the law. They aren’t open to feedback and will tell you off or worse. Plenty of examples on here and in the news over the past 10-15 years. It’s why people are hesitant to talk to anyone.Thank you.
- Wes C. Addle June 17, 2026 (3:57 pm)
  
  Odd Son, it’s a little different here vs. a FB comment section. There is a small subset of people that are always commenting here. Basically human bots. Off-leash dogs are intimidating and cause damage at beaches, leashed behaved dogs, not so much. Just like there are respectful humans at the beach and there are wild, loud, obnoxious people who litter or do donuts in the Don Armeni lot.The topic could be dogs, merlot, light rail, road diets. It’s the same echo chamber. These are unenforceable laws anyway. It’s a pointless argument.
S June 17, 2026 (4:57 pm)

Completely agree! Well said. The crowds I saw trampling through low tide made me feel sick to my stomach and do far more damage than a leashed dog. I also wonder if our neighbors could put this much effort into more pressing issues in today’s world. It seems very privileged to spend this much energy worrying about dogs on a beach.
WS since 2008 June 18, 2026 (7:52 am)

You’re right. Thank you for commenting and for being a volunteer naturalist.

LPM June 17, 2026 (8:52 am)

I think our states debt could be eradicated if we started handing out tickets. Leash, parking, speeding.

Grilled Cheese June 17, 2026 (11:53 am)

I think it would be better for police to focus on ticketing people speeding at 100 mph down the street instead of ticketing dog owners on the beach.

KinesthesiaAmnesia June 17, 2026 (3:28 pm)

Why can’t both these things be reasonably done?

dogpolicy June 17, 2026 (12:01 pm)

This feels like a good time for a reminder that our neighboring cities have, for years, added “pop-up” dog parks and paid for them with increased off leash ticketing. More legal access for the growing population of dog owners, increased enforcement and compliance to keep parks free of offleash dogs, slightly altered dog-specific areas in some parks. This is the way. If an up and coming Seattle politician picked this as a policy measure, they would win votes. I’ve brought this up to the parks department and been told that the city prefers long term plans rather than short term gains, and their are ecological considerations involved. That fully ignores the fact that thousands of complaints are being levied about dogs in parks and there was a 7 year plus stretch where not a single new offleash dog park was built. Also, PS, the new stadium dog park is delayed…

Mori June 17, 2026 (3:03 pm)

Rules and laws are nice as long as everyone agrees and we agree to enforce, but this law along with a long list of others, will continue to be nice in theory only.

Shannon June 17, 2026 (9:05 pm)

I dont understand why dogs cant walk on the PATH at Lincoln Park, on leash. The beach is rocky and sucky anyway. I do like sitting on a log once in a while with my LEASHED dog, but there are benches. At Alki, pets are part of the whole scene, most are friendlier than the hoomans.People who let their dogs run amok should get tickets and fines. Those who dont pick-up poop also. Those of you who think parks should be people only, i dont get you AT ALL. There are not very many dog parks, and w/o a car, they are not accessible. Highland Park dog park is crime ridden and packed with unsupervised dog walker dogs who bring 8 or more at a time, and turn them loose.Ive met many more unmannered, destructive humans than dogs, hands down. We are all suffering from under staffing and under funding.

WS since 2008 June 18, 2026 (8:02 am)

I agree. Our only Dog Park, Westcrest, hss so many out of control dogs that it’s scary to ho to. I’ve seen a dog attack a smaller dog completely unprovoked while the owner of the attacking dog did nothing. Dogs are supposed to be under “voice control” to be in Westcrest, but too many owners bring aggressive or out of control dogs while they are on their phone the entire time paying no attention. It makes it scary to take dogs there. You just never know what might happen. And there is no other Dog park nearby…

Dog Owning Former Beach Naturalist June 18, 2026 (10:02 am)

The whole debate over who does more damage, people or dogs, missed the point. Both do damage, but as a former beach naturalist the difference is experiencing low tide and learning from the many passionate and educated folks on the beach has the potential to inspire conservation and respect to the many folks that have no idea what lies in the intertidal zone. This is where the Parks dept can and should focus on education. (Side note: it has gotten pretty crazy out there and I do hope there are limits put in place on walking on the rocks esp at Constellation. A lot can be seen walking on the sand next to the rocks and is safer for all.) Unleashed dogs while seemingly less damaging do leave waste, frighten some humans/leashed dogs, disturb wildlife, and even kill wildlife. As a former Seal Sitter I’ve seen way too many seals injured by dog bites to count. Now does my dog look at me longingly especially when other dogs get to play on the beach. Absolutely, but my dog can get exercise and socialize in legal ways just as easily. The Park Rangers response is infuriating. Education doesn’t work on the entitled and can often lead to hostility when a good intentioned citizen tries to educate. There are signs on every damn beach, every school playfield and the “I didn’t know” is just an excuse used by the lazy and entitled. I’ve literally pointed out the signs to people as they stand right next to them. Why not fine and use the funding to staff more Rangers to patrol especially on low tide days where the beach looks like Disneyland? Why not fine and use the funds to pay for the installation of waterfront dog parks in areas with low impact? Rules generally exist for the betterment of society as a whole and these should be enforced. Otherwise just get rid of them and stop wasting our money on this incompetence.

Sorry, comment time is over.