Warning for Discovery Park bikers

May 18th, 2012 · 29 Comments

This was on MyBallard’s forum and I thought you would want to know about it- especially as the weekend approaches:

“Cheese” writes:

If you bike in Discovery park, beware of a lady who sets her dog after bikers going down the hill by the Daybreak Star entrance. Ran into her last night and it was a brief glimpse into insanity. I was going down the hill slowly since I hadn’t gone down it yet this spring. I think you could probably get over 30mph (not advised in my opinion, but I’m sure some do). I turn the corner and I see a group of people off to the side with a loose yip-yap type of dog. Since I had a near miss at this location several years ago (dog on right edge, owner on left edge, near-invisible leash ready to garrote me in the middle) I just stopped.

I hear the lady say “Here’s another one!” At this point, don’t know what that means. But I’m walking my bike down past the loose dog and as I start talking to her she picks up the dog as I relate her how dangerous this corner is and told her my story of the time I could have been severely injured if I hadn’t stopped in time – hopefully she would get the hint that a loose dog at the bottom of a hill is bad for the dog and for the bikers. She seemed to take it in but said, “Oh my dog loves to chase bikes!” Like this is a fun, cheery thing to enjoy on a great spring day.

She was still holding the dog when I got on my bike and went down the hill. I look back a few seconds afterwards and she had let the dog down to chase me! Let’s just say that I lost it and screamed at her… She called the dog back and I got …out of there.

Putting everything together afterwards, from her location at the bottom of a hill where bikers are going fast, the comments “Here’s another one”, “My dog loves to chase bikes”, and her letting the dog go, leads me to the conclusion that she intentionally is doing this. I can’t see an innocent explanation. By the time I figured it out it was too late to call animal control (or even 911!) which I regret.

If some biker going 20-30mph turns that corner into that loose dog and slams on the brakes or loses control, serious injury is almost certain – so be forewarned!

Be careful Magnolia peeps!

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BillyBibbet

All dogs must be on a leash in Discovery Park. No exceptions.

scot c

Yes, they should be. At least half are not.

Jacobson12

As long as you are responsible I see no reason not to let your dog off leash in areas that are not populated. I always leash my dog on the walking paths, however I will let him off leash in the fields where no one is around. Most people are responsible with their dogs in Discovery park, not sure about that crazy lady though…

scot c

So you have decided the leash law does not apply to you or your dog? And you have also decide most dog owners are responsible owners. Interesting.
ParkUser

Therein lies the problem.

Anonymous

Pepper spray, she’ll never do it again.
Doggonit

Maybe a little bit of an over reaction to a little yappy dog chasing bikes? I’m not saying it’s not a bad idea, or even that the lady’s not being a jerk, but screaming aat her and writing a long letter to the local media? From the headline I thought there were pit bulls attacking cyclists or something ….
Snarkbark

Why even pay attention to the old bag and her mutt? Just ride thru and enjoy the park…..
Chris

Lighten up scot c, I also let my dog off leash when it is appropriate, it’s a huge park and most people with dogs are responsible. Leash laws in Seattle are way over hyped. Just because you may not be a dog lover, don’t be so selfish….The park is for everyone.. Learn to share.

scot c

When do you deem it appropriate? Is there some kind of meter you use to decide if your dog is bothering other people, other dogs or park wildlife?
its not just about me

I often went to Discovery Park early and let my dog off leash, calling her back when I saw someone else with an off-leash dog or another person. Here’s why I evolved and decided it was a bad thing to do (never mind that it is illegal):

1. Nesting animals and birds were scared off. Their habitat is so limited and my running my dog is just a personal luxury.

2. Once in a while an early morning runner popped up and my dog was in their way or tried to be friendly. They have a right to run without a dog tripping them. The military guys made this vocally quite clear to me!

3. I never picked up her poop when I let her run. Multiply that by a population of people, which is what you should do for any moral decision you make. Doesn’t matter how large the park is if they poop in the middle of the trail.

4. Again, my friendly dog “bothered” no one. Except while she was blissfully running through the brush she knocked over a toddler who was crouched down in an opening on the side of the hill. Luckily I just leashed her up and went home and no harm was done that time. Multiply any choice you make by everyone doing it and if it isn’t moral or kind, don’t do it.

labs

You make some interesting points, and I can see why you have decided to keep your dog leashed. I personally leash my dog on all walking trails where the majority of people are. I always pick up my remains that my dog has left. I do however let my dog off leash in certain areas, and have had no issues or concerns as of yet. Sounds like you have had a few bad experiences. Some people will just not be happy, the runners always look pissed off when dogs are leashed or not on the trails, the animal lovers always get upset if you are tracking through certain habitat where birds are nesting. The dog lovers get upset at the runners. There is always something to complain about if you are that type of person. I do realize it is a privilege for everyone in the park, including dogs.

Rahlmann

It sounds as though most people, like yourself, are unaware that the Discovery Park Master Plan from 1972 calls for it NOT to be a multi-use park, but to “provide an open space of quiet and tranquility”, and serve as “a place where visitors can learn to respect their environment as well as enjoy the beauty of nature”. That is, a large variety of wildlife habitats and a place for environmental education. Off-leash dogs threaten and often damage or destroy animals and their habitats. All of the meadows serving as homes to ground nesting birds are a prime example. I’ve been a Volunteer Naturalist for 9 years, so I spend a lot of time observing and teaching about the animals and plants in the park. BUT I also walked our dog every day for 13 years in Discovery Park. So I know it is an almost irresistibly tempting place to run your dog. Every time your off leash dogs runs through a meadow or forest or into a pond or on the beach it is damaging habitats for the multitude of creatures that live in the park. We are all immensely blessed to have the plants and animals in this Jewel of Nature within our city limits and should treat it with the respect and awe it deserves.

robert f

I agree people need to chill out with regards to off leash dogs in the park, I have never encountered any problems with out of control dogs off leash. Of course there will be some individuals that ruin it for everyone but for the most part people have control of their dogs. And yes the off leash laws are very brutal in Seattle, just be careful for animal control.

scot c

Exactly. Dog leash laws have no relevance. There is not even a reason to have leash laws. Dogs never disturb park wild life, or leave feces, or trample vegetation. Why can’t we ignore all park rules? I especially hate being told where to park my car.

Goober6_9

I tend to agree with Scott C, Discovery Park should just be an off leash park like Magnuson Park, and Golden Gardens. Its a big enough park, and magnolia does not have any off leash parks. Also Magnolia is a huge dog community. also no one adheres to the off leash laws anyways……

Scot

I was being sarcastic. I do not support off leash dogs in public parks.
Seattle Girl

Just a quick point to note… Magnuson Park is not 100% off leash. It has an off leash area where the dogs run, play and splash in the water… which is 100% awesome for them!
When not in that area, dogs must be on leashes.

Guest

Park your car in the 2900 block of Hayes.

Trimble

Leash your dog, it’s the law.

People are people, but dogs are not. As a frequent user of the park with my two young sons, I can’t expect that every dog off-leash is going to be well behaved and will listen to commands. There are many good dogs and good people out there, but it only takes one incident from an animal to forever change your family’s life.

Do the right thing.

The Dude Abides

I suspect that many members of the “Do it because it’s the law” crowd don’t always follow their own dictum, but drive a couple miles over the speed limit routinely, slow down and then roll through stop signs, and overstate their charitable contributions on their 1040s. There are laws against those things, too. Instead of saying “Do it because it’s the law,” and then being hypocrites ten minutes later, these folks should do what “Trimble” starts to do, which is to say, “Your right to enjoy the park with your dog is less significant than my right to enjoy the park.” At least it’s honest, and doesn’t reference a law that surely exists primarily as a “gotcha” to generate money for the city.

Broadspit

This sounds like animal abuse to me. I have seen what a bicycle doing 20+ mph can do to a large dog. A small dog like that hasn’t got a chance. I am careful on that corner because I almost mowed down the little mutt last year. It is the ignorant and careless dog owner that is the problem, not the dog.
Broadspit

This sounds like animal abuse to me. I have seen what a bicycle doing 20+ mph can do to a large dog. A small dog like that hasn’t got a chance. I am careful on that corner because I almost mowed down the little mutt last year. It is the ignorant and careless dog owner that is the problem, not the dog.
Stevengaub

Seems like animal cruelty to me. S. D. Gaub DVM
Jorja

This guy is bringing about a legit concern for SAFETY. You think it’s worth a bike crash and killing a dog, you go ahead and tout your “I bet you break the law in other areas” and “to leash or not.” Missing his point.

The Dude Abides

If you truly think that we can’t recognize the difference between someone who sics her dogs on passing cyclists and others who just want to let their dogs stretch their legs in an empty area, there’s not much to say to you.

Slaneseattle

I live near this crazy lady! She thinks she is the neighborhood police. As a good neighbor, I have never raised my voice to another neighbor. Until het I unleashed the C word on this old B. it is not the with 4 legs it is the dog with two legs.
123steamboat

I would like to comment on the “off-leash” part for dogs. As a runner that spends a lot of time on the loop trail. I see to many people that think there dog is behaving well but it can be dangerous. Last week i came around a corner on a narrow part of the trail and a dog came up in front of me and started jumping around. This almost made me fall down the hill side and would of lead to serious injury. Keep your dogs on a leash when it comes to the loop trail or stay in the fields where it is much safer thank you.
123steamboat

I would like to comment on the “off-leash” part for dogs. As a runner that spends a lot of time on the loop trail. I see to many people that think there dog is behaving well but it can be dangerous. Last week i came around a corner on a narrow part of the trail and a dog came up in front of me and started jumping around. This almost made me fall down the hill side and would of lead to serious injury. Keep your dogs on a leash when it comes to the loop trail or stay in the fields where it is much safer thank you.