Sarah Lemmon May 15, 2018 9:59am

Greenlaker reader Ericka let us know that she encountered a dead duck last week in the park. Even more upsetting, the duck was killed by a dog.

Here’s what she says:

Last week I saw a dead Mallard at the Green Lake Theater swimming area. It had been killed by a dog. You can see two puncture marks where the dog grabbed it by the neck. It was definitely not an eagle. I have seen eagles kill and eat birds. They will carry off and eat the entire bird. My concern is that I am seeing more and more dogs off leash at the park. Allowing dogs to harass and kill wildlife at the park is unacceptable and illegal. If anyone sees this happening, please report it to the police. Thank you.

Ericka also shared with us that the Seattle Parks Department later closed part of the grassy area, likely to quarantine the area because of the decomposing duck.

This is a good time to remind everyone that it is illegal to have dogs off leash at Green Lake – which includes letting dogs swim in the lake.

Here is the specifics from Seattle.gov:

“Except as expressly allowed in subsection B hereof, it is unlawful for any person to allow or permit any dog or other pet to run at large in any park, or to permit any dog or other pet with or without a leash, except Seeing Eye or Hearing Ear dogs or dogs used by public law enforcement agencies and under control of a law enforcement officer, to enter any public beach, swimming or wading area, pond, fountain, stream, organized athletics area or designated children’s play area.”

But that doesn’t mean that dogs can’t enjoy Green Lake. Dogs can walk the lake on a leash and enjoy a fabulous off leash dog area nearby.