Tweets:
Many of you have expressed concern about encountering dogs off leash in
areas that have not been designated for off-leash use. You might be
interested in the e-mail I got from Seattle Parks and Recreation today in
response to my complaint to them about off-leash dogs in Schmitz Park (W.
Seattle). Of particular note are the comments about the importance of
calling the Animal Shelter (206-386-PETS) to notify them of such violations
since they are the ones who enforce the leash laws. In addition, they record
all such calls and base resource-allocation decisions upon them. So the more
calls the better.

Read on if you're interested. It's a tad lengthy.
Tina Blade
Kirkland, WA
mailto:tinablade at comcast.net

Seattle Park and Rec's response:

Dear Ms. Blade,

Thank you for writing in about dogs off leash at Schmitz Preserve Park.

I'll ask the crew chief who handles Schmitz to make sure that leash-law
signs are clearly visible at all three entrances to the park. But I'm
afraid ignorance of the law isn't the problem: Most dog owners know that
Seattle law prohibits dogs from being off leash in any Seattle park other
than a designated off-leash area, and also prohibits dogs entirely from any
sports field, children's play area, or beach. It's especially painful and
maddening to have dog owners flaunt the law in a place as beautiful, rare,
and otherwise serene as Schmitz Park.

Because Seattle Parks employees have no enforcement authority, and it's
Animal Shelter officers who can write tickets for dog owners who disregard
leash and scoop laws, we encourage people who see any violation to phone the
Animal Shelter at:

386-PETS

to report it. It is helpful if you can provide identifying information about
the violator to Animal Control---name, telephone number, address, or vehicle
license number. An officer from Animal Shelter's Park Patrol Team will check
out the site and issue warnings or tickets as appropriate.

Every time a call comes in, they have a record of a trouble spot and can
budget their limited resources accordingly. So every time you call in
helps.

Thank you for your concern, for taking the time to write, and for any help
you can give in reporting violations.

Sincerely,
Laurie Dunlap
Superintendent's Office, Seattle Parks and Recreation

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