A recent viral video appears to show a woman being assaulted after allegedly asking a man to leash his dog along San Diego's Mission Bay, raising the question: why is there so little enforcement of clearly posted dog laws?
In the picturesque Sail Bay area of Mission Bay, nestled within San Diego's Pacific Beach and Mission Beach neighborhoods, a growing issue is causing frustration among some residents and visitors alike. Despite clearly posted signs indicating the rules, dog owners are frequently ignoring the regulations that require their animals to be on a leash during all times and only present at specified morning and late afternoon times. Instead, many are walking their dogs unleashed and at all hours, creating a nuisance and sparking concern over public safety and adherence to the law.
The laws regarding dog leash requirements along most of Mission Bay are unambiguous: dogs must be leashed during all times and are only allowed in the areas during evening and morning hours. The established law is printed clearly on signs posted all along boardwalks in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Ocean Beach, in most areas of Mission Bay Park, and many more places around the city. However, the widespread non-compliance has turned these guidelines into mere suggestions rather than enforceable rules.
This blatant disregard for dog leash laws recently culminated in a disturbing incident that has gained significant attention. A woman was apparently assaulted after she purportedly asked a man to leash his dog, an altercation captured on video that quickly went viral. The footage, which has been widely circulated on social media, underscores the escalating tension between those who follow the rules and those who flout them.
There are residents around the Sail Bay area who have voiced their concerns, citing the lack of enforcement as a major issue. According to data obtained from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, city law enforcement officials and the San Diego Humane Society, the entities responsible for enforcing these laws, have issued approximately 30 tickets for leash violations to dog owners along the bay front in the past five years. This lax enforcement has contributed to a perception of lawlessness in the area, where dog owners feel emboldened to ignore the rules without fear of repercussion.
"Leash laws are in place for the safety of both animals and people," explained San Diego Humane Society's Director of Public Relations Nina Thompson. "San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement responds to citizen complaints for off-leash violations. Due to the prevalence of the issue, officers are not always able to immediately respond to calls for service regarding off leash violations. The calls for service are always added to the dispatch cue and our officers respond as they are able."
Dogs are only permitted on the beaches during morning and evening hours. Since the 1970s, the city's municipal code 63.20.12(a) mandated that: "...it is unlawful for any person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any dog, whether leashed or unleashed, to be upon any public beach, any public park adjacent to a public beach, or any sidewalk adjacent to any public beach between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 1 through October 31, and between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from November 1 through March 31."
"There are dogs on the beach around Sail Bay at all times," wrote one resident of the area. "There is dog poop all along the walking path around the bay and in the sand. During the morning and evening hours, unleashed dogs are the majority. I am woken up almost every morning by unleashed dogs barking as they fight, play and chase each other around, while owners just stand around chatting. There is zero respect for the community let alone the laws in place. I have called a dozen times in an attempt to get some enforcement and even have written my local Council representative Jennifer Campbell on many instances."
San Diego Humane Society claims to not have adequate resources to enforce leash law but a look at their recent financials paints a picture of a financially strong company. Based on tax data, the company's President and CEO, Gary Weitzman reported compensation of $449,296.00 for the year 2022-2023. William Hanley, the VP & Chief of Humane Law Enforcement reported compensation of $201,292.00 for the same year. The organization reported contributions and grants amounting to $39,109,219.00 with total revenue of $67,236,722.00. Salaries and other compensation was reportedly $39,775,216.00.
"In the last fiscal year, our Humane Officers conducted 3,149 park patrols in the City of San Diego alone," continued Thompson. "The City of San Diego also have Park Rangers who enforce leash laws in Mission Bay. Dog owners who are witness by any law enforcement, including San Diego Humane Society’s officers, can be cited. To avoid a citation, residents should utilize designated off-leash parks in the city."
Many neighbors report that the constant presence of unleashed dogs, at times when they should not be allowed, is not only a safety concern but also a significant inconvenience. Families with young children, elderly residents, and those who follow the leash laws seem to be particularly affected. There have been complaints related to dog barking noise, which witnesses claim escalates when dogs are unleashed. The issue is compounded by the fact that unleashed dogs can lead to aggressive encounters, injuries, and even the potential for serious accidents.
The lack of accountability is a source of frustration for those who abide by the regulations, like the woman in the above video. Responsible dog owners who ensure their pets are leashed as required feel their efforts are undermined by the pervasive non-compliance around them. Although many dogs may be well-behaved enough to stay peaceful when leashed, some leashed dogs are reactionary and tend to feel threatened when approached by their unleashed contemporaries.
The recent viral incident has brought renewed attention to this ongoing problem and has prompted calls for more stringent enforcement of dog leash laws. Advocates argue that a more proactive approach is necessary to address the issue effectively. This may include not only issuing more citations to violators but also increasing public awareness about the importance of following leash regulations for the safety and well-being of everyone in the community, dogs and people alike.
The lack of accountability is a source of frustration for those who abide by the regulations, like the woman in the above video. Responsible dog owners who ensure their pets are leashed as required feel their efforts are undermined by the pervasive non-compliance around them. Although many dogs may be well-behaved enough to stay peaceful when leashed, some leashed dogs are reactionary and tend to feel threatened when approached by their unleashed contemporaries.
The recent viral incident has brought renewed attention to this ongoing problem and has prompted calls for more stringent enforcement of dog leash laws. Advocates argue that a more proactive approach is necessary to address the issue effectively. This may include not only issuing more citations to violators but also increasing public awareness about the importance of following leash regulations for the safety and well-being of everyone in the community, dogs and people alike.
There are designated leash-free areas sited all around San Diego, including Dog Beach in Ocean Beach, Fiesta Island in Mission Bay Park, and many others. For more information about San Diego dog law enforcement efforts and leash laws, visit sdhumane.org/services/humane-law-enforcement.
