You'll see that slaphappy black lab charging onto the froth of the Sound in search of a soggy piece of driftwood. You'll see a charming standard poodle sniffing at the shells, at footprints from nights ago and simply exhilarated by the fragrance of the sea winds. These are dogs and their owners that defiantly walk past the brown park signs pounded into the sand that read "no dogs on beaches... $500 fine..."
Of course, there are limitations. You can't take your cow or baboon out on the beach, and if your dog or animal is a danger or nuisance to the community, then that needs to be taken into consideration. As Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation, Tim Gallagher is granted the right to ban dogs or other pets from a beach or park if said animal is considered a nuisance.
There's no question that dogs ought to be leashed, especially around children. Even big, friendly dogs can bowl a kid over, or soak him or her to the bone with slobber.
But a beach is a natural place where humans can commune with dogs and nature. And that ought not to be messed with. And even if nature calls, owners, who are particularly dutiful in Seattle, are typically at the ready to clean up the evidence.
It is true that in 1997, City Council passed an off-leash pilot program. As a result there are several designated areas where dogs can romp freely. But that's just it, they are designated areas - like smoking sections 25 feet away from building entryways. It's just not the same.
The original ordinance was created because of the danger dogs posed to people, because of the irresponsible actions of a few owners who then ruin it for the remaining 98 percent.
But the ordinance threw out the dog with the doghouse. At the very least, the ordinance should be reconsidered, reevaluated. Because if we continue to control every little thing we do, to monitor every movement we make (like cameras do now at several intersections), what fun will life in Seattle be?
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