Off Leash Dog Comments Following Recent Post

The Laurelhurst Blog recently posted about off leash dogs at Laurelhurst Park and a pit bull that reportedly killing another dog at the park.

Several months prior, the same pit bull bit another dog at the Park, which required veterinary attention.  It was also reported that a standard poodle was bitten very seriously by a German shepherd several weeks ago in the Park, and required veterinary care. 

The Laurelhurst Blog consistently receives comments from neighbors who frequent the Laurelhurst Park enjoying the park or taking a walk, as well as those with their dogs, who regularly encounter off-leash dogs, a violation of Seattle City Code which states:

City Code (SMC 18.12.080) - Animals running at large prohibited

Except as expressly allowed in subsection B hereof, it is unlawful for any person to allow or permit any dog or other pet to run at large in any park, or to permit any dog or other pet with or without a leash, except Seeing Eye or Hearing Ear dogs or dogs used by public law enforcement agencies and under control of a law enforcement officer, to enter any public beach, swimming or wading area, pond, fountain, stream, organized athletics area or designated children's play area.

Any person with a dog or other pet in his or her possession or under his or her control in any park shall be responsible and liable for the conduct of the animal, shall carry equipment for removing feces, and shall place feces deposited by such animal in an appropriate receptacle.

18.12.085 - Violation—Civil penalties.                           
                                                                                                                                                                                        

Violation of Section 18.12.080 shall be a civil infraction as contemplated by RCW 7.80.120 subject to the following penalties: 

           

• Initial Infraction. Imposition of a monetary penalty of Fifty Dollars ($50);
• Second Infraction. Imposition of a monetary penalty of One Hundred Dollars ($100);
• Third Infraction. Imposition of a monetary penalty of One Hundred Twenty-five Dollars ($125);
• Subsequent Infractions. Imposition of a monetary penalty of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150) for each infraction

The Laurelhurst Blog received these comments following the post: 

I am a dog lover, however, the park is not for off-leash use, yet there are constantly dogs off leash running around. We have young children and I am frequently aghast when owners let their dogs run through the playground! Some children are scared of dogs! Let alone even the most well-behaved dogs can be unpredictable when startled by a child. We have lived in Laurelhurst for over 5 years and this has constantly been a problem. Can the LCC board do something? Put up signs or regulate it in some way? Maybe early morning could be a time for "off-leash play" so that there is some compromise!  

Fortunately there are some off-leash dogs at the Laurelhurst Park who are mostly friendly, playful, and supervised by their owners. However some dogs are not, even though owners are well aware of the leash policy and the off-leash dog park at Magnuson.

There should be absolutely no compromise on the well known Seattle Municipal Code about requiring dogs on leashes in the park and the penalties of not.  e are a mile and a half from one of the largest off leash areas in the city, 8.6 acres at Magnuson. We, the taxpayers have spent quite a bit of cash on building and maintaining these off leash areas. If a dog owner is not willing to take advantage of these, why should everyone else suffer for it?

Some children are scared of dogs and so are some adults.  Please do not assume that we all love your cute adorable furry family members. Please keep them on leashes, and I will let you know if I want to pet your pet and/or invite it to jump on me.  

Just because your dog isn't aggressive and is behaved, doesn't mean you shouldn't keep it on a leash. In both of those instances of the German Shepard and pit bull can you say for certain that the dogs weren't actually on a leash and it was the dogs that got bit that were running free? I know more than one situation where a non aggressive dog was unleashed and ran up on an aggressive leashed dog and got hurt. Everyone should keep their dogs leashed. 

I have seen many egregious incidents at the Laurelhurst Park play ground.  Many times I saw dogs running loose around the playground installations. I told the owners that their dogs should be leashed and not in the play area. One owner leashed his dog and called to his son, "C'mon son, this lady says we have to go home." That's not what I said, and shame on him for lying to his son. 

I walk my dog at Laurelhurst Park but always keep him on a leash. I avoided the park for awhile after he was attacked by another dog and needed professional care. Now I only occasionally since the number of off leash dogs has dramatically increased. The law is the law is the law.

I believe our neighborhood should come up with a solution that allows for some compromise on this issue.  There is no good reason that off-leash or unruly dogs should be anywhere near the playground or even the athletic fields when there are young folks at play. Also, it is critical that dog owners who aren't able to successfully  control their dogs should ever have their dogs off leash.

Many people who walk their dogs at the park know that at certain hours, usually very early in the morning, the only people at the Park are dog owners.  I don't take issue when I see other folks enjoying each other's company there and playing with some dogs off leash at this time. 

Pit Bull Reportedly Kills Dog At Laurelhurst Park, And Other Incidents Of Dogs Attacked

The Laurelhurst Blog consistently receives comments from neighbors who frequent the Laurelhurst Park enjoying the park or taking a walk, as well as those with their dogs, who regularly encounter off-leash dogs, a violation of Seattle City Code.

Unfortunately about three weeks ago, it was reported that a Yorkie had been killed by a pit bull at the Park.
 
Several months prior, the same pit bull bit another dog at the Park, which required veterinary attention.
 
It was also reported that a standard poodle was bitten very seriously by a German shepherd several weeks ago in the Park, and required veterinary care.  
 

The pit bull is reportedly moving to live with an out of state owner in a few weeks, who is aware of the dog's history.
 

One dog owner who frequents the Park with her dogs, commented that these unfortunate instances should remind dog owners to always be mindful of others- people and other dogs at the park, as well as managing their dogs in all interactions. 

 

She added "Dogs who are aggressive should be leashed at all times and only handled by someone who can manage them. Their owners should immediately caution approaching dog walkers to stay back."

Another dog owner said that fortunately there are some off-leash dogs at the Laurelhurst Park who are mostly friendly, playful, and supervised by their owners. However some dogs are not, even though owners are well aware of the leash policy and the off-leash dog park at Magnuson. 

 

The Seattle City Code (SMC 18.12.080) states regarding off-leashed dogs: 

18.12.080 - Animals running at large prohibited

Except as expressly allowed in subsection B hereof, it is unlawful for any person to allow or permit any dog or other pet to run at large in any park, or to permit any dog or other pet with or without a leash, except Seeing Eye or Hearing Ear dogs or dogs used by public law enforcement agencies and under control of a law enforcement officer, to enter any public beach, swimming or wading area, pond, fountain, stream, organized athletics area or designated children's play area.

Any person with a dog or other pet in his or her possession or under his or her control in any park shall be responsible and liable for the conduct of the animal, shall carry equipment for removing feces, and shall place feces deposited by such animal in an appropriate receptacle.

18.12.085 - Violation—Civil penalties.                           
                                                                                                                                                                                        

Violation of Section 18.12.080 shall be a civil infraction as contemplated by RCW 7.80.120 subject to the following penalties: 

           

• Initial Infraction. Imposition of a monetary penalty of Fifty Dollars ($50);
• Second Infraction. Imposition of a monetary penalty of One Hundred Dollars ($100);
• Third Infraction. Imposition of a monetary penalty of One Hundred Twenty-five Dollars ($125);
• Subsequent Infractions. Imposition of a monetary penalty of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150) for each infraction

Here are other comments received recently about off-leashed dogs at the Laurelhurst Park:

I would agree with what is posted in your most recent article, but I would also add, just because your dog isn't aggressive and is behaved, doesn't mean you shouldn't keep it on a leash. In both of those instances of the German Shepard and pit bull can you say for certain that the dogs weren't actually on a leash and it was the dogs that got bit that were running free? I know more than one situation where a non aggressive dog was unleashed and ran up on an aggressive leashed dog and got hurt. Everyone should keep their dogs leashed.

I have seen many egregious incidents at the Laurelhurst Park play ground, where I used to take my grandchildren. Many times I saw dogs running loose around the playground installations.  I told the owners that dogs should be leashed and not in the play area. One owner leashed his dog and called to his son, "C'mon son, this lady says we have to go home." That's not what I said, and shame on him for lying to his son.

I walk my dog at Laurelhurst Park but always keep him on a leash. I avoided the park for awhile after he was attacked by another dog and needed professional care. Now I only occasionally since the number of off leash dogs has dramatically increased. The law is the law is the law. The arrogant self entitlement that the owners show who continually let their dogs off leash is appalling and very un-neighborly. There's a big dog park at Magnuson to take off leash dogs to or your own backyard?  Maybe you don't want your dog to poop in your own yard.  Follow the law for the sake of everyone in Laurelhurst. 

I believe our neighborhood should come up with a solution that allows for some compromise on this issue, such as in San Diego where off-leash dogs are allowed only at certain hours. There is no good reason that off-leash or unruly dogs should be anywhere near the playground or even the athletic fields when there are young folks at play. Also, it is critical that dog owners who aren't able to successfully  control their dogs should ever have their dogs off leash.

Many people who walk their dogs at the park know that at certain hours, usually very early in the morning, the only people at the Park are dog owners.  I don't take issue when I see other folks enjoying each other's company there and playing with some dogs off leash at this time.  I do agree it is the responsibility of owners to throw away their dog's waste properly, and also help clean up after those who didn't.

We were having a birthday gathering in the park and on TWO separate occasions, off leash dogs ran into the party and started towards the food. Both times the dog owners laughed about it. 

 

City Public Hearing On Off-Leash Parks Tomorrow

A Blog reader would like to pass along that on Thursday evening, the  Board of Park Commissioners is holding a Public Hearing on the People, Dogs and Parks Strategic Plan at the Miller Community Center at 6:30pm. 

The closest off-leash park to Laurelhurst is Magnuson (7400 Sand Point Way).

The information provided by the City says:

The plan will guide the operations of existing off-leash areas, and provides strategies for development of future off-leash areas. It provides direction on how to spend Seattle Park District funding designated for existing off-leash areas over the six-year term of the Park District funding plan (2015-2020).

Seattle currently has 14 fenced off-leash areas totaling 28 acres. The People, Dogs and Parks Plan offers recommendations on how to add new off-leash areas, and how to improve off-leash area conditions and user experience.  

New off-leash areas may be added through new park development, existing park redevelopment and community requests, on park land or non-park public land. All new off-leash area proposals will be reviewed by a committee of environmental and dog advocates, community members, animal behaviorists and Parks staff, who will make a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Superintendent.    

The Plan recommends that future off-leash areas be fenced, does not recommend allowing unleashed dogs on trails, and recommends against establishing more off-leash areas on beaches. User conflicts, limited enforcement and maintenance resources, and environmental concerns limit the capacity for adequate management of unleashed dogs in city parks outside of fenced off-leash areas. 

The plan proposes the use of Seattle Park District funding to improve existing off-leash areas based on site assessments included in the plan and to explore possibilities for partnerships and sponsorships to expand resources. It also proposes the creation of a license for dog walkers, and limiting the number of dogs in a dog-walker pack to three unless dog walkers complete an approved animal behavior training program. 

Those who want to give input on the plan but are not able to come to the meetings can give written comments, which bear equal weight to verbal comments. Email comments to rachel.acosta@seattle.gov.