The Seattle Parks and Recreation announced last week a partnership with the Seattle Animal Shelter to step up enforcement of dog off-leash violations in several parks. The increased enforcement is part of an effort to raise awareness about the laws regarding dogs in parks.

“We love dogs in Seattle,” said Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher in an email release from the department. “That’s why we have many designated dog off-leash areas in the city. We also have a responsibility to ensure that all parks are safe and welcoming for everyone, and to protect our natural environments for native plants, spawning salmon, songbirds, and nesting shorebirds.”

Parks and Humane Law Enforcement Officers have established a new policy to meet regularly for the purposes of discussing parks that have become unofficial off-leash areas. Parks’ district maintenance staff have created a “Top Ten” list of worst offender sites.

Currently, these sites include West Queen Anne Playfield, Gilman Playfield, Bitter Lake Playfield, Ravenna/Cowen Parks, Green Lake Park and Volunteer Park.

On the weekend of Feb. 21, the first weekend of heightened enforcement, Animal Shelter officers issued 14 citations for dogs off leash, mostly at Volunteer and Ravenna/Cowen parks. Fines for off-leash, license and scooping violations range from $54 to $162, and can be up to $500 at a beach.

Parks and animal shelter officers plan to continue to meet on a regular basis to identify parks where targeted enforcement is needed.

Three new dog off-leash parks have been added to the city in the past five years, bringing the total number to 11.
The renewed parks and open spaces levy will fund two additional dog off-leash parks in Magnolia and Queen Anne.

Dogs are allowed on leashes in most Seattle parks, but are not allowed, with or without leashes, at organized athletic fields, beaches, or children's play areas.