Dog Doo Fines Are Adding Up For Pet Owners

In New York City, the crackdown has begun on owners who fail to clean up after their pets.  It seems kind of sad that people feel it is unnecessary to clean up after their dogs and leave their messes for others to stumble upon.  More and more people today are utilizing dog parks and are walking their pets as much as possible.

Pet owners caught red (or brown) -handed in New York can pay a fine of up to $100!  So far this year, the sanitation department has written around 775 tickets (compared to 327 at the same time last year).  Dog owners welcome the new ticketing practice and the sanitation workers have noticed a better compliance with the law.

Late spring/early summer are the peak times for officers to catch pet owners in the act.  Officers from the Parks Department are also on the lookout and can ticket you for failing to pick up your dog’s waste.  The Sanitation Commissioner says they currently have 15 officers assigned to dog poop patrol.

Even in Canada, scooping poop is the duty of the pet owner, and they hold events to clean up their parks.  Most pet owners don’t think much about leaving their dog’s mess in the snow - but when the Spring thaw comes - it can be particularly messy.

The population in some of Canada’s cities is on the rise - some people may not come from a city or town with scooping laws, so they assume there are none in Canada.  What pet owners fail to realize is the huge health risk feces can have if left sitting in the open.  Feces can soak into the ground and can contaminate ground water.  If a dog plays in it he will become sick.

The parasites and bacteria found in dog feces can create flu-like illnesses in adults and children.  Some owners will carry extra bags with them to the dog park to hand out to those who may have forgotten theirs.

Picking up after your pets is incredibly important.  Cities all around the world are instituting fines for not cleaning up after your pet.  One of the worst feelings in the world is stepping into a pile of dog doo…..it seems like the stink stays on your shoes forever!  We should all be courteous to our fellow man and pick up after our pets!  If you have a problem picking up the dog doo for any reason, you should think about how you felt the last time you stepped into a steaming pile - do you want someone else to go through that?

It only takes a second to bend down and pick it up!  The best method is to wrap a plastic bag around your hand (like a glove), pick up the dog doo, then you can turn the plastic bag inside out without ever having to touch it!  Carry plenty of bags with you everywhere you go and be sure to keep hand sanitizer close by!  Please respect others and respect the environment - clean up after your pets!!

Thanks for reading!  As always your participation in comments and discussions is encouraged and greatly appreciated!! 

****KEEP YOUR EYES ON MY BLOG!!  A NEW CONTEST IS COMING SOON!!****