RANT: Dog AttackOff Leash Dogs at Lincoln Park

[Jeannie]

By all means call Animal Control if you see an off-leash dog. I adore dogs, and they are perfectly happy being walked on a leash. Give them love, attention, a good diet, and a brisk walk, and they’ll thrive.

And if you see the Animal Control officers doing their job, don’t be shy – thank them or at least wave!

Share This

[Cait]

I am so sorry to hear that this happened. The off-leash dog issue has been going on for far too long. What makes me particularly mad at the owners in this situation is that they own a pit bull and aren’t good ambassadors for the breed by keeping them on a leash. I’m a proud pit owner and I know that I have extra responsibility to my community of fellow pit lovers AND the community at large to be responsible because of their already ill-informed reputation. Off leash dogs are a menace not just unto themselves but to other dogs that may not respond well when they are leashed and another animal approaching them is not.

Also please keep in mind that people misidentify pit bulls all the time – there is a good chance this dog wasn’t one. And if you seriously believe the myth that pit bulls have locking jaws, you aren’t qualified to talk about this.

Share This

[wseattlite]

Share This

[TanDL]

My friendly dogs would love to walk on leashes in Lincoln Park, but there’s no way I’m ever going to take them there, because of this very thing. I walk there (dogless) now and then and see dogs off-leash all the time. Laurens… I’m so sorry this happened to your pup. My heart goes out to you. And, to the owners of the killer dog… man up! Do the right thing. Come forward and take responsibility. Your dog KILLED another dog. Your dog is a danger to others. Deal with it like a responsible adult!

Share This

[clulessinws]

Never heard back from Mr Rasmussen or one of his aides. He has added a comment or 2 on off leash dogs in the past. Maybe I will try Dow’s office. He or one of his aides replied to Karen about fireworks on the same day..

Share This

[clulessinws]

Response from CM Rasmussen upon follow up:

Thanks for writing of your concern. I have been sharing your concerns over the years with the Animal Control office and I will do so again because they have the responsibility and resources to respond.

I will urge them again to prevent and investigate these terrible incidents. It is a challenging responsibility because the dogs are often gone when the officers arrive.

Animal Control does not have the staff to post full-time in Lincoln Park. Perhaps, if there is a pattern to this and the owner is known, that information could be shared with Animal Control for investigation and resolution.

Tom Rasmussen

Share This

[J242]

Sadly, it seems like the city cares far more about policing people into paying a “pet licence” fee (that goes to the general budget from what I understand, not anything related specifically to our furry friends and family) than enforcing the on-leash laws that often, unfortunately, end up creating horror stories like what happened here.

I personally will not pay for any “pet license” fee until Seattle directs it’s attention at the off leash violators that cause actual problems. I know the city is desperate for more cash but distributing tickets based on a rather absurd (and never mentioned by local vets, breeders, pet shops, etc) cash grab to go after responsible pet owners is not the way to do it.

My heart goes out to Lauren. Maybe if the city got it’s priorities in check it could prevent others from having to deal with the loss she’s had to go through.

Share This

[J242]

Sadly, it seems like the city cares far more about policing people into paying a “pet licence” fee (that goes to the general budget from what I understand, not anything related specifically to our furry friends and family) than enforcing the on-leash laws that often, unfortunately, end up creating horror stories like what happened here.

I personally will not pay for any “pet license” fee until Seattle directs it’s attention at the off leash violators that cause actual problems. I know the city is desperate for more cash but distributing tickets based on a rather absurd (and never mentioned by local vets, breeders, pet shops, etc) cash grab to go after responsible pet owners is not the way to do it.

My heart goes out to Lauren. Maybe if the city got its priorities in check it could prevent others from having to deal with the loss she’s had to go through.

Share This

[Author]

Posts