The Pooch Problem
Recently some residents have put up signs in an attempt to stop a common neighborhood problem. As the moderator of this blog, I have been hesitant to bring this topic up because I have such strong feelings about it. Since someone else mentioned it in a previous comment, and because others in the neighborhood have talked to me about it, I thought it deserved a post.
When I first moved to the neighborhood, I was appalled to discover that some people would allow their pets to mess in their neighbor's yard! How disrespectful! I do not have a pet for the sole reason that I do not want to clean up after it. I have children who play in the yard, and I do not want them stepping in it. Dog feces and dog urine are NOT fertilizer. They kill your grass, and dog feces is loaded with fecal coliform bacteria that can make you and your children sick!
There seems to be two different issues:
Problem #1: Unleashed Dogs
Some neighbors allow their dogs to roam about the neighborhood. This is in direct violation with the city's leash law. So, what can be done about it? I just spoke with the Jefferson County Animal Shelter. They will come and pick up the unleashed dog. The owner will then have to pay both a city and county fine to get the dog back. That price goes up each time an offense occurs. If animal control arrives and the owner then has possession of the dog, they will speak with the owner informing them of the law. If the situation continues, they can be written a citation by a city officer. Animal Control can be contacted Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. The phone number is:
244-8024
Problem #2: Leashed Dogs
Kudos to the pet owners who pick up after their pets! But as hard as it is to believe, I have personally observed many people walking their dogs and allowing them to mess in their neighbors yard without cleaning up after them. I am at a loss as to what can be done about this. Perhaps someone reading will have a suggestion (please keep it descent).
4 comments:
Perhaps if you are friends with a neighbor who doesn’t clean up after their dog, you could suggest buying a bag dispenser. They are fairly inexpensive (about $5) and attach to the leash so that bags are readily available for clean-up on walks. I guess you could even buy one as a gift for a dog owner you don’t think would buy one for himself!
The only other suggestion I have to help solve this problem would be to install some sort of waste stations where dog owners could grab a bag if they didn’t have one. I read an article about a community that did this using old mailboxes and filling them with recycled plastic grocery bags. People in the neighborhood donated bags to keep the boxes full. This is probably the most cost-effective way I can think of to do something like this here. (Though it may not be very attractive!) Of course, this would only work if everyone actually used the bags.
As a dog owner who cleans up after her pet, I am a little offended by the signs to keep dogs off the grass. It makes me uncomfortable to walk my dog near these homes, though I certainly understand the concern and frustration of these neighbors. There should be some sort of consequence for owners who don’t clean up after their pets…it’s very disrespectful to everyone else.
I am a pet owner. I walk my two dogs around the neighborhood and ALWAYS pick up their messes. I find it completely rude when others do not do the same. My neighbor and I have discussed this issue many times. She (also a dog owner) is completely appalled by the constant disrespect of other home owners in the neighborhood and placed a sign in her yard as well. I think those few dog owners who are inconsiderate give all dog owners a bad name.
On a more personal note, I just finished landscaping my front yard. After shoveling several tons of rock over the past few days, we finished up last night. I went outside this afternoon to prune my handing baskets, and found dog feces in our brand new, just put down YESTERDAY rock! Once again, I am a pet lover. However, some people in this neighborhood need to start taking responsibility for their and their dogs’ actions! I am extremely disgusted. My first instinct was to report it. After all, it is illegal. However, I also feel the city police have other issues to deal with. Having dog poop in my rocks probably isn’t on the top of the crime list. Any other thoughts as to what should be done?
Come on people this is gross. We work hard to keep our yard looking nice then you let your dog do it's thing in my yard. How rude!! I've been watching and will go out and say something if I see it happen. That's the reason I don't have dogs. I have small children and don't want to mess with cleaning it up. I like the signs the guy made for his yard and thought about doing the same. We had this problem a few years back then when I said something to the person it stopped. Either that or I was going to bag up all this dogs dodo and put it in his yard. It just seems worse this year.
I am thinking that the man who walks the 2 small, long-haired dogs, one light colored and one black/white mix, does not read this blog. Perhaps if he realized that we in this neighborhood do not value dog droppings as perhaps he does, he would cease and desist.
Then there is the large black dog who wanders. Maybe I will attempt to explain manners to him next time he is in my yard.
Let's remember to be solution finders not complainer retainers.
from your neighbor Cindy.
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