Fortunately there are a few effective things you can do to stop irresponsible dog owners from disobeying the laws. Here is a little known fact about irresponsible dog owners - 99.9 percent of their dogs are not licensed. Another little known fact is that Animal Control will always take action, visit their house, make them get a license and slap a rather large fine on them.
It's a three step process: 1) get the license number of the dog, the street address where the dog lives or the car license plate number of the dog's owner, 2) call up Animal Control, ask for the enforcement supervisor and alert them verbally. They will look up whether or not there is a current dog license, and, presto, they will send someone out 3) Animal Control will ask you to fill out a declaration (available at www.Seattle.gov).
It is a small thing to do, but it erodes the comfort level so many irresponsible dog owners have about their propensity to disobey the law. Also, it is a public service since Animal Control is under-funded.
Here's another thing you can do: speak up.
You may not be the type, and you may get an overreaction, but always politely say, "Excuse me, would you please put your dog on a leash?" or, "Excuse me, here is a plastic bag, would you please pick up your dog's feces from my lawn?"
If you feel bold, and not everybody does, approach the dog and get the license number and the address, recite it aloud to put it into your memory. This will make the owners realize there will be consequences. Then, get a declaration online and fill it out. It does not guarantee that the dog owner will immediately comply with the law, but it does guarantee that he will not use your lawn as a latrine or walk his dog down your street.
Another tactic, get a security camera and tell people about it. I installed a security camera, told three passing dog walkers when I was gardening and the considerable frequent violation of the pooper-scooper law stopped immediately. My neighbors have expressed their gratitude many times because they're not picking up dog feces anymore.
Finally, call the mayor about your problem. He is responsible for the enforcement of laws. Whatever you think about his policies toward developers, he's the only person in 14 years who has done anything about the number of unlicensed dogs in Seattle. Let him know that you want the police to enforce the Animal Control laws.
Like many civic situations, the laws on the books don't need much amending; they just need to be enforced.
Ellen Taft
Capitol Hill[[In-content Ad]]