A man was arrested Thursday night after an employee at a nearby Capitol Hill business saw him take a dog that was tied up in front of E Pike’s Ballet restaurant.
According to SPD, the dog’s owner was alerted by the employee and tracked down the suspect at the nearby Harvard Market QFC where he had the stolen dog in his possession.
Police officers responded to the 911 call and helped recover the dog. The suspect was arrested and transported to Harborview for a mental evaluation.
In other (probably) purloined pooch news, on Thursday, CHS shared the story of a husky rescued by a couple on Broadway on Christmas Eve.
UPDATE: Mentioned in comments below and not entirely appropriate… but pretty funny:
Thanks to the good people watching out. This is insane I have to ask WTF is wrong with people? Although I don’t think leaving a dog tied up anywhere is safe especially with what has been happening lately on Capitol Hill (See CHS story on Evie the Husky).
Don’t leave your dogs unattended anywhere!
If you left your bike outside of a restaurant or grocery store, not secured with a chain or lock, would you 100% expect to see it when you get back outside? No. There’s always a chance someone might lift it simply because it was there for the taking. When you leave your dog tied up to a post while you pick up toothpaste at Bartell’s, that’s like saying, “Hey, please take my dog, I’m making it super easy for you”. Glad the pup was recovered – hopefully its owner won’t allow for that situation to arise in the future.
I know it’s tempting to take your dog out for a quick coffee, etc…heck, I would want to do it! But after seeing a certifiably whacko street dude threatening to use a lit cigarette on a terrified tied up dog (plenty of people came to the dog’s aid, but what if it had been on a quieter street?), I can’t be comfortable seeing dogs left alone & defenseless.
…the whole leaving your dog tied up outside thing. I have done it a scant handful of times, and ONLY when he is never out of my sightline, and ONLY for a moment (i.e., enough time to drop off/pick up dry cleaning, or run inside to pay a tab). Even then, it makes me kind of nervous.
I’m much more likely to just take him in with me for a quick errand (Walgreens, Safeway) even when I’m technically not supposed to, because I know he’s well-behaved. And if ever asked to take him out, I will. (I never have been, so far.)
People do this ALL THE TIME. In front of grocery stores, too. Often in the cold rain with no shelter. I have seen random people feeding random dogs random things. I have personally had to call police when I saw someone try to steal a dog that was tied up in front of Cafe Septieme (or whatever it was called).
Technically it is in violation of Seattle Municipal Code SMC 9.25.084
“F. Tether an animal in such a manner as to permit the animal to enter any sidewalk, street, alley or place open to the public, or to enter any adjacent lot or premises unless authorized by the occupant of the adjacent premises.”
Additonally: SMC 12A.06.060 Negligent control of an animal.
“B. “Negligence” includes, but is not limited to, failure to comply with or violation of any provision of Section 9.25.083 or Section 9.25.084.”
If you TRULY love your dog don’t leave it alone! Glad this puppy is fine, but I hope the owner got fined.
very happy ending to that story.
I used to tie my dog up outside of stores so I could run quick errands – tried to make it only when I could still see her, although once she was full grown I worried less about her because when she couldn’t see me she would not pay any attention to other people and there was no moving her if she didn’t want to be moved (she was built like a small tank). No way would someone be able to get her to just walk away with her. Doesn’t mean someone couldn’t harm her though.
It’s a dumb thing to do (leave your dog unattended). But seriously, what kind of scum steals another person’s dog???? It’s an unbelievably selfish and heartless thing to do.
You’re not “technically” not supposed to.
The first season of Portlandia has a hilarious scene that totally satirizes people like who get all worked up about other people tying their dogs outside while they go in for an ice cream or whatever. Check it out.
I pass tied-up dogs alot on Broadway. Why people think they can tie up a dog and walk away is beyond me. This isn’t 1952 Mayberry.
So you tie up your dog, walk away, and then you tie up the police trying to find your dog for you, because you have no idea where your dog is..why?
BECAUSE YOU TIED YOUR DOG UP ON THE STREET AND THEN YOU WALKED AWAY.
Some of these West Coast people really are stupid.
You think people on the East Coast don’t do it? Uh huh.
Get out much?
Your remark proves what is obvious to anyone living on Capitol Hill…that most dogs in supermarkets and other stores are NOT service animals, and are there only because the owner is too irresponsible to make other arrangements. (btw, I love dogs, but think they have no place inside stores, except if they are true service animals). I sure wish store managers would crack down on this, but they usually ignore it because….why?…loss of business? Fear of some confrontation? At the very least, I think all those who parade their dog through a store should carry a statement proving that the dog is a bona fide service animal.
Why is it necessary to have your dog with you at all times? Answer: it’s not. There’s nothing wrong with leaving Fido at home for awhile, especially if you’re going to a supermarket.
I can assure you that based on your comment at least one person on the west coast is a stupid person who moved here from the east coast.
I’ll tell you why we do it. It isn’t always practical to do otherwise. I have an adopted pound doggie who I love and adore. I work all day; once I get home from commuting it’s been a long time. So I only get to see her at night for a few hours before bed, and we both enjoy hanging out together and walking around. Sometimes, I also need to grab food or dry cleaning etc. I hate leaving her outside and always worry, but sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day. She’d for sure rather be with me running errands than home alone in the evening. But I worry about crazy people on the hill. Yes, we try to walk her then go out, but I’m pregnant, exhausted, sometimes the weather only lets up a bit, etc. No one tying up their dog is a bad person- life is just busy people, and also our dogs LIKE to come with us out and about when they’ve been in the house all day. It’s too bad people here are so nuts and mean that they steal dogs. The dog doesn’t mind beind outside for a few minutes, even in the rain etc. She likes to sniff around and watch who goes by.
…I pass by tied-up dogs who appear miserable and abandoned. Fuck you dog owners who tie up your pets for longer than 30 seconds.
Actually, it looks like the SMC says that if yr animal is tethered in a way that it doesn’t block the street/sidewalk, it would be legal. I wonder what enforcement of this would be, per the “or place open to the public” wording…
C.hill does still have those rings around. Y’know, the ones you tie up your horse to…
lol, that’s pretty funny. fuck you too!
All these people complaining about dogs being tied up obviously don’t have gogs of their own. Otherwise, they’d realize that the dogs would be much more miserable if they were left home alone. Dogs are very social creatures. Leaving them at home alone for hours is much more cruel than bringing them with you, and tethering them to the sidewalk for 5 or 10 mins.
Think about that next time you’re tempted to make judgements.
You guys really need to lighten up.
Why do people even think it is acceptable to leave a dog tied, alone, in front of a store/restaurant? Do you do this with your children? Why with your dog?
I have two golden retrievers and would never and have never left them unattended, tied in front of any type of business. Nor have I left them in a vehicle. If I can’t take them with me everywhere I go, then they stay at home. They do, however, get their social time, walking and playing with other people and canines. Leaving your dog tied to a sign post outside a store or restaurant isn’t being social. The dog wants to be with their people/person. Not tied and alone.
Typical me first attitudes, leave your dog at home. Dog ownership is a privilege, not a right. If you are busy and don’t have enough time to spend with your dog, then don’t get a dog. How hard is that?
I’ve owned dogs over 30 years now, not once have I taken my dog into a store, tied my dog outside, or left my dog in a car. When I walk my dog, that’s what I’m doing, I don’t stop, my dog is not allowed to stop, we focus on our walk. He can pee and shit in my backyard. My dog is also very salty like me, so don’t try and make friends with him. He might bite you. I’m the same way, so leave me alone too. And get your gross dog out of the place I buy groceries/coffee/food/supplies.
Think about the next time you want a dog whether you can adequately take care of it.
No, you are a bad person. Because your dog is just another lifestyle accessory . Oh you’re so busy in your go go go yuppie lifestyle that there isn’t enough hours a day to get your dog out of your smallish apartment or condo for some “quality time”. And you’re PREGNANT to add to the burden of your self-important existence! I suspect your child will probably get as much attention from you-daycare, afterschool programs, playdates, and lots of alone-time for contemplation. But maybe you’ll work him or her into your busy schedule two or three times a week-after all it’s not the amount of time spent bonding-it’s the QUALITY of those 25 minutes a week spent together that’s so fulfilling.
“Think about the next time you want a dog whether you can adequately take care of it.”
Comment by metoo
So your argument is that people who own dogs, and are aware that the dogs like to go on walks to the store, but can’t bring the dogs in the store because the store doesn’t allow it, so leave them outside for a couple of minutes rather than leave them home altogether, are incapable of adequately caring for dogs and shouldn’t own them at all?
That’s really stupid.
Stores and restaurants allow me to take my children inside. My dog can’t come in. My dog is covered in thick fur and is plenty warm while I go inside for a minute. I wouldn’t leave the dog out in the rain while I had an entire meal. Dogs can LIVE outside if you live somewhere where they don’t annoy the neighbors when they bark. They’re animals, remember? None of this would be a problem if it weren’t for (a) deranged street people and (b) weird neurotic posters who think dogs can’t sit on the sidewalk for a couple of minutes.
OK, I’ve also owned dogs for decades (different dogs, obviously). What the heck is wrong with bringing a dog with me on a car trip and having the dog wait in the car for a reasonable length of time? Seriously, how does anyone view that as a “me-first attitude”? The dog LIKES coming in the car: the dog JUMPS and WHINES to come with when it hears the car keys. The dog stares forlornly out the window of the house when the dog is left at home.
Oh, and for everyone suggesting that temporarily tying up a dog on the sidewalk or BRINGING a dog in the CAR (for god’s sake) is somehow cruel: you’re vegan, right? No? Then STFU.
Anon, you don’t sound self-important to me. You sound like a reasonable, sensible person. I bet your future kid will really enjoy having a dog.
After you’re done with your pregnancy, let’s get together and kick Steve S.’s ass.
Reminds me of a joke about a guy living in a place he wouldn’t keep a dog. Finally he asks himself what the hell he is doing living in a place he wouldn’t let a dog live. Sad commentary on our ability to live in places and times were we must make such concessions.
It hurts the dogs feelings? I dunno, I just don’t do it… I leave my dog home so he can bite bad guys.
I moved here from the East Coast too, and I was also shocked when I realized tying dogs up outside was a common practice.
All those hopeful eyes, staring at each person, hoping that’s their owner. I’m surprised dogs aren’t stolen more often, given that they are left more or less as theft bait. Poor things.
@ B: You’re more likely to take your dog into the store with you, even
when you’re “technically” not suposed to.
It must be nice to “technically” disregard rules that others follow,
because you’re “technically” just more special than us?
Kids are far dirtier, spread more disease, are louder, are more disruptive, and do more damage in stores. IMO, they should be banned from being in stores rather than dogs.
Kids can’t lick their butts and spread it round the store. Kids tend not to eat cat shit, and while they can be unpleasant, not many of us are really truly allergic to kids. See, dogs are animals, and as such do not belong in places where people who don’t appreciate them as much as you do frequent. Dogs have fleas, ticks, and worms.
I love my dog, I don’t like your dog. Perfectly understandable if you fee the same way, which is why I keep him home.
Lala, I’m sure you’re joking….right?
If you’re not, your argument is “apples and oranges.”
Anon, I’ll bet you’ll feel differently if you or someone you know has their dog stolen when they leave him/her tied up alone, outside.
“Technically” isn’t even the right word. It’s ILLEGAL to take a dog into a food-service business (supermarkets, restaurants) unless he/she is a bona fide service animal. But, obviously, this law is being widely ignored by those who think they have the right to pick and choose which laws to obey.
No I don’t think I’m special. I’d encourage you to ignore silly rules if doing so harms no one or nothing, as well. Have a nice day.
All I gotta say is tie your dog up on sidewalks at your own risk. Don’t complain if after a few minutes the Dog is missing.
Oh yea, I second that pets should not be allowed in stores unless they are service animals. Don’t have time for pets? Don’t get one. I don’t care for pets in Safeway or Walgreens.
other than the pregnant part, that’s why I also did this with my dog (and before anyone asks why i’m using the past tense, my dog was NOT stolen, she died, as pets do eventually). Steve S is being an ass.
I remember hearing the screams of a woman who came out of the back of the Broadway Market QFC to find her dog had disappeared. That was pretty painful to hear. I felt sorry for her and mad at her at the same time. Does anybody notice the people that hang around the entrances to the grocery stores? Most seem harmless but living near an entrance to one you also see and hear mentally ill people almost on a daily basis. You can’t trust that everyone will treat a dog like you would wish it to be treated.
What really drives me crazy on a daily basis is people leaving their dogs outside to go shopping and having to listen to them bark and howl for a half hour while I’m trying to work and watch TV. I don’t appreciate being subjected to your dogs anxiety because you humanize the animal and think it can’t stand to be left at home while you do errands.
Do you really think it would rather be tied up alone (without a familiar person) on the side walk of a busy street with loud cars driving feet away from it and tons of strange people walking by? That’s not giving it attention, or exercising it, it’s parking the dog and neglecting it. A few minutes within your sight it fine. But a half hour or more while you are meandering in a large store is irresponsible.
Yes, they are animals, but they are DOMESTICATED, it is not ok for them to be living outside on a regular basis like livestock with out shelter and warmth, yes, they have a fur coat but dogs still freeze to death outside.
And please quit giving your dog human food, I’m sick of navigating the diarrhea smeared across the sidewalks because you have to do what feels good to you, not what is best for the animal.
Sorry, this hits a nerve. I LOVE dogs and have to live with all the dogs in this neighborhood everyday, and see a lot of great owners and some naive and ignorant ones.
B, sorry, but you do not have the option of nullifying a law by labelling it as “silly rules” and by ignoring it. Why? Because many others would disagree with your opinion and consider that same law “reasonable” and “something I should respect.” It is very arrogant for an individual to decide a law is not worthy of his/her compliance.
If you really think a law is “silly,” then it’s your ethical obligation to try and overturn it, not to take the easy path and just ignore it.
in Sweden children are left outside of restaurants