OUT AND ABOUT
I recently took my dogs to the Big Flats Trail, a local community walking trail that features a “pleasant walk between wetland habitat and farmland.” Dogs are welcome there and multiple signs advise owners to clean up after their dogs. The trail head at Sperr Memorial Park has a poop bag station with a baggie dispenser and receptacle. It’s pretty straightforward. I’ve always had a good experience there whether I take my dogs or not, and I’ve met other folks’ dogs on the trail many times also.
However, last time we went, this sign met us at the West end of the trail:
The text reads: “Due to recent events, the future of dog walking at this site is under review.” Hmmm, that sounds like trouble. It continues with, “You, as a dog owner, have responsibilities. If you do not keep dog on a lead or clean up after your dog then dogs will no longer be allowed on site. It’s up to you.”
That little paragraph is so true, and so badly needed to be said. And ladies and gentlemen, it really is up to us. It’s up to all of us.
I don’t know what the the “recent events” are, but the text and the pictograms are emphasizing a dog off-leash, a bunch of poop that had to be picked up, or (probably) both.
THIS IS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM
Some of my blog readers aren’t from around here, so even though this event just affects me and my neighbors, the gist of this post is universal to all locales.
I remember when I first moved to New York I kept finding gargantuan dumps in my front yard. I knew someone was walking a big dog and letting it just go whenever and wherever. Sure enough, I eventually caught some woman walking an old Leonberger past my house, letting it cop a squat, and then trying to move on. We had some…words…between us. I’ll just leave it at that. The problem stopped, though, so I’ll call that a win.
When I worked retail at a pet store I remember politely asking a gentleman to clean up the poops his German Shepherd was leaving all over the store and he went completely off the deep end on me. He cursed loudly at everyone and left the store…without lifting a finger to clean up. The nerve of me for asking!
These are extreme examples. Nonetheless, I see people all the time go to places that have signs posted requiring dogs to be leashed, and these folks have to show off how great their dog is off-leash. Generally, this off-leash behavior is anything but bomb-proof anyways and I’ve seen several of these displays end in tears. It doesn’t matter even if the dog is bomb-proof; this is not the time to show off. Stop being self-centered and arrogant and just follow the bloody rules. Not everyone even likes dogs. Some people are afraid of certain dogs. They have the right to not have to meet your dog.
Listen: leashes are required for several reasons. It’s for your safety, your dog’s safety, the safety of other people, and the safety of other dogs. There are countless variables in a public setting that you cannot predict. No matter how good you think your dog is, it’s not always about your dog causing the problem. Sometimes it’s other people, other animals (not always dogs), and things you didn’t ever even dream of.
IT’S NOT JUST THE LEASHES, IT’S THE POOP!
As far as dog poop goes, that’s technically a safety issue too, let’s be real here. Dog feces is one of the most common carriers of parasites like tapeworms and roundworms, and bacteria like salmonella, giardia, and cryptosporidiosis. In 1991 it was labeled a non-point source pollutant by the EPA, placing it in the same category as herbicides and insecticides, oil, grease and toxic chemicals, and acid drainage from abandoned mines.
I’m not trying to terrify you. All of us dog owners deal with dog poop every day and if you’re smart–use baggies, dispose of it responsibly, and wash your hands–you’ll be fine. But allowing many dogs to poop in an area that is not picked up can potentially lead to serious issues. Case in point: the EPA estimates that two or three days’ worth of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it to swimming and shell fishing. Thankfully, most of us do our due diligence.
Picking up after your dogs is important. Don’t be a slob.
OK. SO NOW WHAT?
Would you like to know how to not ruin it for the rest of us, we who are responsible dog owners who don’t let our dogs bother people and other dogs and who always take baggies with us? Keep your dog on a leash, and clean up after them.
That’s it. Ideally, being nicely mannered is at the top of the list, but barring that keeping them leashed, managed, and picked-up-after will spread much peace and goodwill.
I’ve said to my students many times and posted before in this blog: Don’t let your dog get away with something you wouldn’t like a toddler doing to you.
If I saw a toddler running around bumping into people, getting into things, and dropping a deuce in the middle of the sidewalk, you’d better believe I’d say something. And I’m betting you’d be pretty appalled too. There’s no reason to put up with it when it’s a dog.
HOPEFULLY WE’LL BE BACK
I really hope the next time the boys and I go for a walk on the trail that we’re not met with a new sign telling us that dogs aren’t welcome anymore. There aren’t enough dog-friendly places out there. Mainly this is due, I believe, to the systemic problems outlined above. So please, folks, don’t screw it up, wherever you happen to live.
And if you see someone not following the rules, please speak up. Like I said above, as responsible people we’d address any egregious behaviors we saw. Being responsible dog owners just adds new dimension to that. You don’t have to lambast them, but kindly and tactfully let them know that they’re creating potentially dangerous situations and messing it up for everyone. Unless they’re allowing their dog to leave steaming mountains in your front yard. Then go ahead and let ’em have it.
Just kidding.
Kind of.
This PSA was brought to you with a wink and a nod to my friends, clients, and peers who DO pick up the poops and have well-mannered dogs leashed in public. Kudos to you!
Further reading:
This great post: “5 Reasons to Obey Leash the Law (Yes I’m Talking to You)” by Joanne Brokaw
This interesting article on dog poop from the Environmental Protection Agency.
This interesting article on pet poop from the Center for Disease Control.
