A 2-year-old dog named 'Bear' loves going for walks in Mukilteo's Japanese Gulch park. But his owner refuses to take him there anymore, saying it just isn't safe.
"I'm concerned about him getting hurt again," Alyssa Evans said. "It's a bad situation."
Last month, Bear was seriously wounded during a walk along the Gulch's trails. Bear was on a leash, as he was supposed to be, but the other dog wasn't.
"That dog just went for his throat," said Evans. "He started attacking him and wouldn't stop."
Since the attack, Alyssa has learned of at least 10 similar incidents over the past 2-3 years.
Another dog owner familiar with the trails, Renee Ripley, has experienced three dog-on-dog attacks over the past five years.
"We are fired up about this," Ripley said. "Something need to be done."
Evans added there is little-to-no enforcement at the Gulch.
"It's kind of like the Wild West," she said. "There's kind of a free-for-all happening up there."
Complicating matters is the fact that the Gulch itself is owned by the city of Mukilteo, but the land lies within the city of Everett.
"When I call Everett about this, they say call Mukilteo," said Alyssa. "When I call Mukilteo they say call Everett. Definitely a little bit of back and forth."
Mukilteo police can issue citations ranging from $50 to $250, with the potential of a misdemeanor charge if there are more than three violations in five years.
Fines are rarely issued, however. The person whose dog attacked Evans' was not cited. She would like to see more teeth in the law.
Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson said, "Currently, rangers walk the Gulch regularly and educate people on leash laws. Our officers do not routinely walk the Gulch but will go in when there is a call. Both officers and rangers are conducting community-oriented policing activities at the Tails and Trails Dog Park to educate people on leash laws."
Gregerson also said the city will discuss adding additional signage instructing people to keep their dogs on a leash at its August 13 meeting.
For now, though, Bear will have to wait to walk his favorite trails again.
"Until something a little more strict happens where there's a little bit more enforcement we'll just stick to the pavement," said Evans.
