SeaTac officials are developing a long-term contract to continue enhanced animal control services in the city.

A short-term enhanced services contract the city of SeaTac negotiated with King County Animal Care and Control last spring is almost up.

The contract exists because city residents brought the issue of dangerous dogs running loose to the city council's attention earlier this year.

City Manager Craig Ward at that time asked the police department to contact animal control about improving services in the community.

"People have been either attacked or have been in fear of being attacked by dogs," Ward said recently.

Al Dams, acting manager for King County Animal Care and Control, pointed out that dangerous dogs are probably not the only focus of the enhanced services.

He said animal control is providing a higher level of service in general.

"There's not a long-term contract in place yet," Dams noted. "That's what's proposed for 2008. Right now we're operating under short-term contracts that ... I think are up to $5,000."

The proposed long-term contract ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 in enhanced animal control services provided annually.

SeaTac and Tukwila will consider a joint enhanced services program, said Councilman Joe Brennan.

"It's not clear yet whether or not we will approve it, but I know that the council is, as is the staff, very concerned about the problem," Ward explained.

"This appears to be the most viable solution. It would actually be splitting a full-time position with the city of Tukwila. That way we'd have somebody on board here and in closer proximity to us all of the time in addition to the King County Animal Control services that we had prior to the enhanced service."

Dams said right now animal control officers work 12-hour days.