There is nothing more galling to responsible dog owners than the sight of a dog let loose to run on the streets every morning and night. There are several issues with the scenario:
- The loose dog will frequently set off barking of other dogs
- Some of the loose dogs are not particularly friendly to humans
- The owner is not complying with the leash law
- The owner is not cleaning up their dog’s fecal deposits
Owner responsibility for their pets is key to resolving situations like this. There are several laws that can be enforced. However, if you are comfortable doing so, it can be enough to discuss the behavior with the offending pet owner and let them know that you know. If this doesn’t work, or you are uncomfortable, the enforcement of the laws by Seattle Animal Control is key. There are several relevant laws which are quoted (in italics) below from here: