Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Don't tell THIS guy to leash his dog!
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February 18, 2014 at 3:26 am #610484
JeannieParticipantHere we go again. I was walking near the southern end of Lincoln Park this afternoon, when I noticed an insanely adorable, caramel-colored little dog (possibly a Norwich terrier?) running off-leash. His owner, a man probably in his mid-60s, was about 25 paces behind the dog. The little terrier spotted a group of four ducks, and doing what comes naturally, chased the ducks, frightening them away.
The owner called out, “Raha (?), stop it!” When he caught up with the dog, I told him I thought the dog was very cute, but he should be leashed. The owner got hostile and defensive, muttering, “Several people have already told me that, and it’s none of their business.” I replied by reminding him it’s the rule to leash your dog here. In response, he snarled, “Who are YOU to enforce it?” “A citizen,” I said.
I realize most dog owners are highly responsible and respectful of the law, and I adore dogs, but this man was, frankly, a jerk.
February 18, 2014 at 4:30 am #804481
JanSParticipantthere are many people out there who think it’s OK to not use a leash. They think it’s OK, let that dog run, the dog will be fine, it’s harmless…until someone or some other animal gets bit…so irresponsible and selfish…
February 18, 2014 at 4:47 am #804482
JeannieParticipantExactly, JanS! And the off-leash dog himself could be attacked by another off-leash dog. Selfish people don’t think beyond themselves – they ignore consequences of their actions that might harm other people or animals.
February 18, 2014 at 6:20 am #804483
leighjMemberI walk my dog every day at Lincoln Park. I know who you are referring to. There are several people who we see daily, who do not leash their dogs. It is awful when people do not leash their dog. It is potentially dangerous and selfish. Besides it ruins a nice walk having to be on the lookout for their dogs.
February 18, 2014 at 9:33 am #804484
JeannieParticipantUgh! You’re so right, Leigh. We (and the ducks!) shouldn’t have to worry about loose dogs when we’re walking in the park. Sounds like they’re some real a******s out there. Would it really be a trauma for this guy and others like him to put the dogs on a leash? What’s their excuse, you gotta wonder! I’d LOVE to make a citizen’s arrest, ha ha!
February 18, 2014 at 3:43 pm #804485
miwsParticipantWe (and the ducks!) shouldn’t have to worry about loose dogs when we’re walking in the park.
Exactly! There’s been at least one occasion, in recent years, of one of the “Lincoln Park Geese” being attacked by an off-leash dog.
This is really one of those scenarios that I wish I large and could be intimidating looking (but still a nice guy ;-) ).
I wouldn’t need, or really want to make any threats, just point out to in a mostly polite and very firm manner, that the law (and common courtesy/sense for the safety and enjoyment of other canine and human Park visitors, and Park wildlife) dictates their dog should be on a leash, and under their complete control on that leash, at all times.
Mike
February 18, 2014 at 6:25 pm #804486
todd_ParticipantI let animal control know about this. How frustrating! I hope this “owner” gets caught in the act. If you can, get a license plate and report it to animal control 206 386 7387. Or, call when you see violations.. They have more officers now so hopefully they can be more responsive/patrol this area soon. Lincoln Park has long been a scofflaws paradise.
February 18, 2014 at 11:01 pm #804487
JeannieParticipantThank you, Todd. I’ll add that phone number to my smartphone directory. And, Mike, you expressed it perfectly! I wonder if the city can put up a couple of signs, too – just as a not-so-subtle reminder that these dog owners are committing violations.
February 19, 2014 at 7:14 am #804488
JeannieParticipantBy the way, I am going to email Animal Control to see about getting a few signs put up. And, by the way, I learned from their Web site that it’s OK for your pigeon to be off-leash. What a relief ;)
February 19, 2014 at 9:37 am #804489
JanSParticipantlol
February 19, 2014 at 5:54 pm #804490
LindseyParticipantRude people continue to be rude. Ugh. My new neighbor (who I have not yet met) just walks her dog across the street everyday and lets him poop in the city-owned empty lot next to my house. People treat it like their own off-leash dog park! She knows this is not nice, but I doubt she cares. Some people just don’t give a shit about anything past their own noses.
February 19, 2014 at 6:18 pm #804491
wakefloodParticipantFebruary 19, 2014 at 7:33 pm #804492
skeeterParticipantI know it costs a lot of money to enforce leash laws but if the fine was $300 then it would actually be profitable for the city. Off leash dogs drive me crazy. My daughter is afraid of big dogs and it really bothers her (and me) when a large dog runs up to her and scares her silly. The more she runs the more the dog chases her because the dog thinks it is a game when it is not. Really bothers me.
February 19, 2014 at 10:22 pm #804493
anonymeParticipantAs my bus passed Lincoln Park this morning, I saw no less than four dogs off leash. They were not in or near the parking lot, either. They were all with individual owners in areas right near the front of the park. It’s like they’re flaunting their right to be arrogant, law-breaking jackasses.
February 20, 2014 at 12:05 am #804494
wakefloodParticipantWell now anonyme, you’re forgetting that none of the dogs you see would ever poop randomly where the owner wouldn’t bother to pick it up, nor would any of them chase another dog, or person, or goose, or anything else some other unleashed dog might do. They simply don’t.
And their owners will quite happily, and vigorously inform you of this should you dare to inquire.
And I have. Of many of them. Not one has ever said, yup, you’re right, I’ll go get a leash or anything even approaching embarrassment. They simply don’t think the laws apply to them.
February 20, 2014 at 12:21 am #804495
JanSParticipantsadly, many people feel that they’re above the law. I have even seen people proudly post pictures and videos of their beloved puppy running leash free in our beloved old growth forest/park. People who know better. But they do it anyway. :(
February 20, 2014 at 4:17 pm #804496
skeeterParticipantI’m seriously thinking about making a citizen’s arrest the next time a dog is illegally off leash and threatens my 3 YO daughter. I think I can legally detain the dog owner until police arrive.
February 20, 2014 at 10:56 pm #804497
anonymeParticipantskeeter, I’ve often been tempted to take control of the dog and not release it until animal control arrives. I don’t see why this would be illegal; you’re simply containing an animal that is not under control (leashed) as required by law. The owner would undoubtedly have a fit, at which point I would invite them to call police. Any lawyers want to weigh in?
February 20, 2014 at 11:00 pm #804498
TracyMemberIf the owner was so far behind the dog, perhaps the dog needs to be picked up and driven to the animal shelter and reported as a “lost” dog? Do they impound them? If so, perhaps if he had to pay to get his dog out he might think differently about the leash.
February 21, 2014 at 5:56 pm #804499
mcmullekParticipantNew dog owner & forum poster here, so my apologies if this is in the wrong place…
Is/has there ever been a concerted effort for a West Seattle dog park?
I was surprised that City of Seattle off-leash area map (http://www.seattle.gov/parks/offleash.asp) had zero spots in West Seattle.
Any context would be awesome! Thanks in advance.
February 21, 2014 at 6:00 pm #804500February 21, 2014 at 6:54 pm #804501
skeeterParticipantGood point anonyme. I didn’t think of detaining the dog until animal control arrives.
I think the challenge with that approach is animal control doesn’t respond in an emergency manner. You might be waiting three hours.
If the owner, on the other hand, was being physically restrained by the citizen making the arrest, then I think that 911 would respond very quickly. Once the police arrived then the citizen could release the owner so the police officer could do her job and issue a citation or arrest the owner or whatever.
February 21, 2014 at 7:26 pm #804502
seaopgalParticipantDear Would-Be Citizen Arresters: Please take a deep breath. I can’t tell you how much I would hate to hear about another person being bitten, assaulted or worse while trying to detain a loose dog or scofflaw owner. As much as I hate them, it is not worth the potential consequences, including lawsuits.
mcmullek: As Mike points out Westcrest Park is technically in West Seattle. Over the past five years or so, there have been several other locations proposed, including the hill above the tennis courts east of Lincoln Park. For a recent discussion here on the blog, see https://westseattleblog.com/2013/10/how-will-you-be-asked-to-be-taxed-for-seattle-parks-and-what-would-the-fund-park-development-off-leash-law-enforcers/
If after reading that you still would like to get involved :) a good resource is Citizens for Off-Leash Areas, http://www.coladog.org.
February 21, 2014 at 8:24 pm #804503
efhuttonspeaksMemberAnyone touching my off leash dog will do best to call an ambulance instead of the police after i get done with them.
Yes I take my dog off leash to play ball. Yes I know the law but I am choosing to break if for the benefit of my dog. She does not want to approach other animals or humans and doesn’t want them to approach her. Hence why I cannot take her to dog parks – which are the worst things ever invented. They are full of diseases and stupid owners who just sit there and do nothing while their dogs terrorize others.
My dog and I have never harrassed others – yet we have been harrassed plenty by passive aggressive idiots who want to get in my face about the law. Save your breath – if you don’t like what I am doing then call animal control. I’ll take my chances with a ticket. Otherwise if there is no evidence that the dog or owner are harming anyone – the old man in Lincoln Park was right – MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!
February 21, 2014 at 9:15 pm #804504
skeeterParticipantseaopgal is correct of course. We need cooler heads to prevail.
I have emailed the SPD with the following question. I will report back when I get a response. I have no training or experience in law enforcement so I want to get advice from the authorities.
My question to the SPD:
I often observe off-leash dogs in Seattle parks. This activity is illegal. If I ask the owner to leash his/her dog and the owner refuses, what should I do? Please let me know if it is acceptable to call 911 in this situation or if that is inappropriate. Also please let me know if it is acceptable to detain or follow either the dog or the owner until police arrive. Thank you.
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