Mallards at Green Lake Park
photo credit: Holy Outlaw
Seattle Parks and Recreation issued a request today (Thursday, March 10, 2011) that the public keep dogs on leashes, except in off-leash areas.
Native ground birds around Seattle have begun to nest, Parks said in a press release. They ask that park users “show sensitivity to bird habitat by avoiding disturbing habitat and keeping dogs on short, retractable leashes, especially in developed or natural areas with shrub beds, meadows, wetlands, long grass, or thick areas of brush.”
Some species raise their nestlings and fledglings (baby birds) until their feathers grow enough for them to fly. For most native bird species, nesting season lasts into August.
“Disturbances like allowing dogs to run through these areas will flush the birds out of their nests and may cause nest failure or death of the baby birds,” reads the press release.
By ordinance, shorelines in Seattle are off limits to dogs with the exception of the off-leash area at Magnuson Park.
In addition to Magnuson Park, there are 10 other off-leash areas on Seattle, including the Woodland Park Off-Leash Area.
Good Idea. Dog Owners haven’t/won’t follow anything. Dogs REGULARLY are off the leash, in water, on fields…even poop in the bathing areas & water chase and harrass wildlife. Where is the enforcement of this? The City can make $$thousands in fines every day–especially weekends. $500 per dog per occurance for dogs in the water. Have you noticed all the signs are pulled down. You can regularly see people on fields slipping and sliding in poop. Is there a public health issure here??? –Clav Purperea
Off-leash dogs are one of my biggest pet peeves, but Clav I don’t think it’s fair to lump all “dog owners” in the same group. I myself strictly obey all leash and scoop laws, and I see people slipping and sliding in mud caused by all the foot traffic, not poop.
Additionally, when it comes to dogs “harassing wildlife,” – I see more parents allowing their small children to chase after the wildlife than dogs.
With all the bread fed to the ducks, I sometimes wonder how wild they truly are… they behave more like pets and look quite domesticated.
I walk Green Lake almost every day. The vast majority of dog owners are diligent about following the leash law and scooping poop. But there are a handful of scofflaws and I can tell you, most of them are regulars like myself. They do not scoop poop (most of the packages that are now regularly found on the paved sidewalk are left by dogs belonging to this group). And they do not restrain their animals from running into the nesting areas. I have chanced a few conversations in a very low key manner and the hostility received in return is unbelievable. Some sort of enforcement is needed to get this situation under control.