Bird lovers, dog owners at odds over wildlife refuge plans
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SNOHOMISH, Wash. -- A park controversy in the town of Snohomish has pitted bird lovers against dog owners.
A plan to set aside land for a wildlife refuge is ruffling some feathers. The dispute is over whether dogs and birds can coexist on the public land without ruining the outdoor experience for some people.
Pet owner P.J. Parsons thinks she should be able to walk her border collie at any public park in the city.
"Why wouldn't you let them go somewhere beautiful? Why wouldn't you want to share wonderful nature with your dog?" she said.
Her view puts her at odds with bird lovers, who believe the city should prohibit canines in the refuge.
"This is really a launch pad for people to enjoy the hobby of birding," said Bill Fulton of the Pilchuck Audubon Society.
Fulton belongs on the committee that will help create rules for the nearly 60-acre wildlife habitat. The land is slated to become the town's next public park, which will include prime bird habitat.
"We're trying to establish a refuge where birds can raise their families, and it's not consistent to have birds and dogs together," he said.
The city's project manager also sits on the committee, and describes the former sewage lagoon as an outdoor treasure that deserves a special kind of protection.
"If you really want to preserve the reason you're coming here -- just to really enjoy the wildlife, the natural condition, then you don't bring your dog," said Ann Staton of the Snohomish Public Works Department.
The answer did not satisfy Parsons, who said, "I would ask why, what their reasoning is."
The committee says pet waste left behind by inconsiderate owners is one reason it is looking to ban dogs.
But Parsons argues most pet owners are responsible. She believes the refuge is big enough for both birds and dogs.
"Well, the birds share the back yard with the dog, and everybody seems happy," she said.
The committee will present its suggested rules for the refuge to the Snohomish City Council later this month.
A plan to set aside land for a wildlife refuge is ruffling some feathers. The dispute is over whether dogs and birds can coexist on the public land without ruining the outdoor experience for some people.
Pet owner P.J. Parsons thinks she should be able to walk her border collie at any public park in the city.
"Why wouldn't you let them go somewhere beautiful? Why wouldn't you want to share wonderful nature with your dog?" she said.
Her view puts her at odds with bird lovers, who believe the city should prohibit canines in the refuge.
"This is really a launch pad for people to enjoy the hobby of birding," said Bill Fulton of the Pilchuck Audubon Society.
Fulton belongs on the committee that will help create rules for the nearly 60-acre wildlife habitat. The land is slated to become the town's next public park, which will include prime bird habitat.
"We're trying to establish a refuge where birds can raise their families, and it's not consistent to have birds and dogs together," he said.
The city's project manager also sits on the committee, and describes the former sewage lagoon as an outdoor treasure that deserves a special kind of protection.
"If you really want to preserve the reason you're coming here -- just to really enjoy the wildlife, the natural condition, then you don't bring your dog," said Ann Staton of the Snohomish Public Works Department.
The answer did not satisfy Parsons, who said, "I would ask why, what their reasoning is."
The committee says pet waste left behind by inconsiderate owners is one reason it is looking to ban dogs.
But Parsons argues most pet owners are responsible. She believes the refuge is big enough for both birds and dogs.
"Well, the birds share the back yard with the dog, and everybody seems happy," she said.
The committee will present its suggested rules for the refuge to the Snohomish City Council later this month.
Irresponsible Dog owners just like irresponsible anything... rune it for the people who do the same thing responsibly ... I love dogs but hate owners who do not pickup after their pets... I myself have to put stuff down to keep dogs away from places I don't want them defecating in...of course I would not run into the problem if the dog owners picked up after their bets functions...since I started putting pepper and other things down in all their favorite spots the dogs at least learned where not to go as I have not seen one venture near their favorite spots when I watch-out for them but again... if the owners did their jobs I would not have to go putting down anything to deter the dogs away...
I am an avid dog lover (as my pic suggests!) In this case though, I have no problem with keeping the dogs out of the refuge so the birds and birdwatchers can have some peace. Some dogs (and owners) are well behaved, but there are quite a few that are not. There are plenty of other parks and places to go that are dog friendly. If someone wants to take their dog somewhere they can go there instead. I've seen plenty of comments about keeping the dogs on a leash and fining the owners that don't. In theory that sounds great, but it happens all the time and the chances of the owner getting fined are pretty much slim to none. Dogs are natural predators -- its their instinct. I know my dog, though pretty much well behaved has gone after birds, squirrels, possums, etc. in our back yard.
""We're trying to establish a refuge where birds can raise their families, and it's not consistent to have birds and dogs together," he said."   LOL Really? i have 5 dogs 2 are wolf dogs and one catches birds and yet I have a yard filled with all types and colors of birds. I have a large feeder out front for them. Nothing in the back. A public park is not a dog park. There won't be dogs running around. At the most you'll see a dog here and there. Get over it.  These birds are also prey for larger birds of prey. Should we banish the eagles and hawks too?
 @Northend Have you ever sat in the Spring And watched as the Eagles attack baby ducks and the mother duck is trying to hide her babies. As she is losing them one a time it is very sad. There are wet lands All over the county
The bird people need to learn to share. They have taken the acts of a few to penalize the majority. People in Seattle need to learn they are not entitled to everything natural and beautiful.
People like Parsons are the kind that can't separate a pet from natural wildlife nor even a child versus a pet. Psst, dogs don't belong on the bed cause they poop and nobody wipes their butt.
 @komosux Kids are petri dishes! Dogs clean themselves. Kids don't. Kids have MORE germs than dogs do.Â
Kids are petri dishes cause it takes a long time (18 yrs) for them to grow up. However I've never seen a dog cleaning themselves - cats? Yes. I can only imagine you and your dog eating the same food out of each of other's mouth. Ugh!
I love to walk in the many parks. Irrresponsible dog owners dampen the experience nearly every time. Most parks have FREE feces bags, yet so many folks will not use them. signs posted that dogs must be on a leash. some places have signs noting fines for non-compliance- really? like that will ever happen. I am sure that readers here are responsible with their pets. it is a shame that a few bad apples spoil the barrel but there it is. I would like to see more parks prohibiting pets and the parks that allow them having fenced off-leash areas.
Because of encroaching population, business, and development the birds areas have shrunk down a lot. Many people do not use common sense when taking their animals out by letting them run free to chase animals and birds. The birds need their place as well and birds and dogs do not mix well as a rule. Many people do use good common sense, but those that don't have poisoned it for the rest.
Ban dogs, ban guns, ban this, ban that, soon we'll all be living in sterile little bubbles with our cell phones and lattes, won't that be wonderful? Don't people have enough of their own business that they have to mind everybody elses business? Isn't there enough polarization already, we have to bitch and moan about this too?
"I would ask why, what their reasoning is." Well, the answer's pretty straightforward. Dogs are generally bad for wildlife - even on a leash, they'll disturb nesting birds. And we all know people let dogs off-leash all the time.Â
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"The birds share the backyard with the dog." Not the same birds. Lady, go for a walk with some birders without your dog, and ask a lot of questions.Â
@C T My dogs walks near a pond with ducks everyday. He does not bother them at all. He is too busy sniffing all the other scents.
 @C T Not all year 3-4 months most people don't let there dogs chase bird , some do I don't it is nice to take the dog for a swim with out some bird watcher getting in my face , you need multi use areas not just bird watcher areas.
 @Mike  @C T then take your dog to a multi-use area. This is being considered as a "wildlife" refuge. According to the Feds, dogs and wildlife don't go together
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Nisqually/visit/rules_and_regulations.html
there are plenty of dog parks, and not enough places for birds
@chandler @Mike @C T Seriously, the birds are everywhere. They are not going to nest there because it is a private park, this isn't for the birds you just want it selfishly for yourself.
Dog owners tell were you can take your dog and let them swim with out getting a ticket for being off leash
 @Mike Marymoor or Edmonds dog parks both have water for dogs.Â
Well, they aren't planning on making it an open-run area, right? So as long as they don't make the park an off-leash area, anyone with a dog not restrained will be subject to a fine. Presumably on-leash dogs probably won't have that much license to disturb the birds beyond what an average human would be capable of. Plus, now the dog owners know that there will be birdwatchers out there ready to immediately report them if they break leash laws/scoop rules. Hopefully that will be enough.
You could build a pretty good case that people don't belong in a refuge either. If all of the dog owners that used the area were responsible owners, controlled their barking, had their pets on a leash, picked up the crap, this may not have become an issue.
There are bird watch areas all over Snohomish and Skagit counties they need to be multi use areas, there is a lot area designated to bird watcher ( spotted owl). Look at what happen to Norms Resort At Cottage 50 yrs. ago a couple million people would use the parks in one summer.. Now who knows not a couple million to many little groups get there way and the majority suffers.I do know Bird watchers have a large voice that works in the Washington Department Game.
I have a golden retriever who is always kept on a leash in public and we are constantly being hassled by irresponsible dog owners who allow their dogs to run off leash where it is against the law. Â I gave up fly fishing and birding because of her, she doesn't belong in a wildlife refuge. Â Wetlands are fragile, when birds are nesting and an off leash dog disturbs the nest the parent(s) may not return to incubate the eggs or feed the young. Â The dog owner in this story sounds so entitled and unaware, something that afflicts many today.
 @PNW55 People shouldn't be in refuge areas either. Humans do far worse damage than any animal ever could.Â
@PNW55 You're lying, I have a golden retriever as well, he has never disturbed the birds, barked or anything like that. He runs around and sniffs everything and rolls in the mud.
 @justsayin  @PNW55 Lying about what exactly?  Or maybe you don't know about the medical bills I had from a dislocated knee after an off-leash pit bull mix tried to attack my golden when she was on a leash and it knocked me down from behind and dislocated my knee.  Good to know that you are the kind of dog owner that makes people hate dogs.
Either way they have to enforce it as the inconsiderate will not follow the rules.  Beyond that anyone can claim their dog is a service animal and the rules is trumped by law and their is no requirement to prove the animal is actually a service animal.
And really PJ Parsons.. you think that you should be able to bring your dog there, even though it's clear why dogs sould not be allowed. Can't you give it up for the people who love birds and QUIET enjoyment of nature??? Â I own herding dogs, too. Â And they are not low-key at all. Â Â
Dogs do NOT belong in a refuge. Period. I own two dogs, and love them so much.. but I also love birds, and birding. Dogs frighten them away, even if leashed. And let's be honest. Â This State is the worst when it comes to people letting their dogs off leash. Â You allow dogs there? Then show up in 3 weeks to find dogs swimming in the water, chasing the birds, pooping everywhere, and turning it into a dog park. Â You dont' have to bring your dog everywhere. This is ludicrous. Let the birders and people who enjoy nature do it without turning it into an off-leash park. Â
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Seriously.. what exactly is the problem here? Why do people refuse to leash their dogs everywhere?? Â You are the ones causing the problems for yourselves. Â Ban the dogs. End of story.Â
@DT Really, and what about all the other animals that scare them. Do you think racoons are going stay away? Do you think any other predator is going to look up and say, "Oh it's a wildlife refugre, I better not disturb the bird!"
 @DT Ban them in stores too. Everybody brings their dogs into stores with them because they feel bad about leaving them in the car (or at home) and wheel their multiple dogs around in shopping carts and pretend their bigger dogs are service animals. I can't count the number of times I've seen badly trained dogs lunging at kids in the checkout lines and p'ing on the floors.
 @DT May be we should register them