>From Russell Rogers, Seattle WA, rrogers at halcyon.com

I for one, don't go to Lincoln Park here in West Seattle because there are
so many inconsiderate dog owners. I was once walking along the beach there
when someone's happy little wet dog came up to me, started smelling my
crotch. Shortly there after, the owner stepped up, paying no mind to the
dog, asked if I had seen the eagles. Actually I was looking for the "No
dogs allowed on public beaches - $500 fine" sign. When I looked down the
beach and saw the sign, this very person had hung the leash for their dog
right on it! They had to know that the dog was not allowed in the water. I
was so pissed I could not form whole sentences. I just walked away.
Another time, a lady had six big shepherd size dogs running around. One
of the dogs came up to me and started barking at my feet. When I tried to
move the barking tuned to threating growls. I knew that these dogs were
serious, and were going to bite if I moved. The lady, in a very nonchalant
fashion said "Oh, he is just playing, he would not hurt a flee". Then she
proceeded down the trail. After she got twenty or so yards away I noticed
that her dog had no intention of going with her and she had no intention
of doing anything about it. I then knocked the ever blessed *#$% out of
the dog with my tripod. This of course sent the owner into orbit. She came
over to me and started threating me with a law suit and physical harm. I
pulled the pepper spray out of my back pack with every intention of using
it on her and the dog. She finally walked away in a huff.

These are good examples of a few careless and irresponsible pet owners
making a public park unenjoyable for anyone but themselves. Most dog
walkers in Lincoln Park obey the law, and it is the law, and keep the pets
on a leash.

When I'm outside in a public park, I should not be confronted by peoples
dogs. Many dog owners just can't understand why other people don't like
their pets as much as they do. In my case, I was mauled by a German
Shepard when I was 6 years old. I carry an irrational fear of dogs around
with at all times. When one comes running up to me I get tense. I can't
help it. Even thought I know that the dog probably will not bite me, and
even if it did, I probably would not get hurt, I still get very upset at
it.

I don't mind sharing the parks with dog walkers. All that I ask is that
they obey the law and keep them on there leashes. If the parks system
would designate a park for dogs to run free in, I would stay away from it,
no problem. I have signed a petition towards this end, but I don't know
what became of it.

My two cents,

Russell

--------------------------------------------------------
Russell Rogers
4510 Glenn Way SW
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 935-6280
rrogers at halcyon.com
--------------------------------------------------------


On Thu, 16 Feb 1995, Susan Collicott wrote:

>
> Dennis: I thought, last time I was at Marymoor Park (to gawk at the climbing
> rock), that they had an established Dog Run area. It's behind the cluster of
> old buildings, on the opposite side of the park from the velodrome.
>
> Susan
> susan at pmel.noaa.gov
>