Local

Crackdown on canines at Seattle beaches aims to protect seal pups

Seeing dogs off-leash at Alki and Golden Gardens beaches is so common, dog owners might forget that dogs are legally banned by the City of Seattle on all beaches, whether the dogs are leashed or not.

Officers with Seattle Animal Control are now conducting emphasis patrols on all the city's saltwater beaches and they're fining dog owners who violate the ordinance.

Volunteers with "Seal Sitters" -- a local organization tracking Harbor Seals -- have reported dogs harassing seal pups on area beaches.

KIRO 7 informed dog owners at Golden Gardens beach of the new crackdown. "Well, it's kind of insane," said Leon Kenshalo as he led his dog, Nova, from Golden Gardens beach. "It feels a little bit like it's a police state that way," Kenshalo said.

Seattle Animal Control Officer Brandi Homeier pointed out the natural curiosity dogs have for seals. The internet is loaded with videos of close encounters and even chases between dogs and seals.

"People have their dogs off leash at the beach and dogs are coming way too close for comfort and closer than they're supposed to be," said Homeier. "Seals have large canine teeth. This is not an interaction you want to have with your dog. Not only can the seal get hurt, but your dog can certainly get hurt, especially by an adult seal."

Last year, a young seal pup at Alki Beach died of injuries after it reportedly was attacked by a dog.

Just today, a dog owner pushed back after he was fined. The west Seattle blog took a photo of a sign the dog owner made claiming the fines were unfair.

Kenshalo told KIRO 7 the threat of fines won't stop him from bringing his dog to the beach.

"We're certainly sensitive to the environment here," he said. "If we saw seal pups, I think as a community we would come together and police ourselves rather than be told what to do."

Fines for first offenders start at $54 and range to more than $160 for repeat offenders.