Leashed or unleashed

What's the big deal?

Nicole Montano, Field Operations Manager, 509.477.2761; Tony Madunich, Park Operations Director, 509.363.5458

Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 10:59 a.m.

Dog leash laws apply to City and County park property and we have been hearing an increasing number of complaints about people not complying. There is also a City ordinance that requires pet owners to clean up any waste left by their dogs on public property which has also been a problem.

There have been some recent revisions to animal control ordinances so there is consistency throughout the County as we move to a regional animal control agency.

Here are some points to keep in mind:

  • SCRAPS is now the agency responsible for enforcing all animal control ordinances and they do provide enforcement on City and County park property.
  • Complaints that we have received consist of animals threatening people and other dogs including chasing, barking and growling at others in an aggressive manner. There have also been dog fights involving people and animals that have started with dogs running loose.

Spokane Parks and Recreation staff have been in conversations with Nicole Montano, Operations Manager for SCRAPS, about some of the issues in City Parks, and Parks and Recreation staff will be working from an educational effort to create a better awareness of animal control issues and rules.

“We would like to advise the public that SCRAPS will have a presence in the area parks this spring and summer,” Montano said. “Our primary goal is education. However, violations of the leash law do carry an $87 fine.”

SCRAPS recommends dog owners utilize the two off leash dog parks in our community:

  • SpokAnimal Dog Park at High Bridge located at 163 South A Street
  • Patricia Simonet Laughing Dog Park located at I-90 and State Line – Exit 299

For additional information visit the SCRAPS website and their Facebook page.

SCRAPS Mission: Building a more humane community, protecting public safety and ensuring animal welfare through compassionate, responsive, professional enforcement of laws and public policy.

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