SEATTLE — Starting this week, King County Parks says that off-duty deputies will be roving county trails and parks -- looking for unleashed dogs.
The county says there has been an uptick in incidents with dogs, other animals, and other people.
The county could not say how many incidents have happened recently.
The Washington Trails Association is helping to spread the word on the patrols.
"It's a safety issue -- both from keeping your dog safe and within view, for you also to keep comfort for everyone on the hiking trail," said Kindra Ramos, Washington Trails Association.
Officers say that dog owners can be fined up to $500 for the most flagrant violations.
"I'm really bummed. She's better off leash than a lot of people would be," said Brigite Anderson, who said she will probably keep her dog on a leash because of the risk of getting fined.
"You think county employees are going to get out in the rain and walk a quarter of a mile to enforce it. They don’t have the ability to enforce it, so good luck with that," said Barbara Eisenstein, who said she doesn't think that dogs should be on leashes at parks at all times.
The county says that off-duty deputies will be patrolling for about a month. They will be patrolling during the week and on the weekends.
"Having to keep our dogs on a leash makes the King County parks not a place where we can go," said Kim Ross, a dog owner who walks her dog regularly at the Cougar Mountain Trail in Bellevue.
The only King County park that allows dogs to run free -- unleashed -- is Marymoor Park in Redmond.
Many dog owners said that they don't think all dogs should be required to be on leashes, because some are well-trained.
"We've been very respectful. When we see people coming along, we haul the dog in and you check from dog to dog as they go. You manage that," said Gloria Winters.
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