Neighbour pouring bleach onto footpath

[Furo]

So I thought I'd get people's opinion as to whether This is legal? We live close to a house who's owner keeps pouring bleach onto the footpath. We can strongly smell bleach and see the floor white and unfortunately noticed when we were walking our dog past there.

The fence does have signs to ask people to not let their dog do their business in front of their fence so I wonder whether she pours it down to clean it off dog poo/pee or if it's more sinister and even if it is allowed??

While I can obviously walk on the other side with my puppy, a cat might not be able to stop contact with it.

[M00N]

Terrible when people are forced to do that. Poor woman is obviously demented by irresponsible dog and cat owners who don't care where their pets mess.

It's legal.

It's not legal for pet owners to allow their pets to mess public areas however.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

I think bleach breaks down pretty quickly so unlikely to be harmful unless a cat runs over it immeadiately.

[MiddlingMum]

I've done this when cleaning up dog poo on the pavement outside. I normally wait until it has drained away so that I can warn dog owners. Then I pour clean water over it. Apart from anything, I think it makes people realise how disgusting dog poo is.

Cats probably wouldn't walk on it, they would be sensitive to the smell.

I've no idea if it's legal or not.

[MsMims]

Poor woman trying to deliberately cause suffering and harm to animals M00n

I would put in a call to environmental health OP. The footpath isn't her property and it certainly is not legal to deliberately try and cause harm to animals. Apart from anything else, a child could easily fall there and land in it.

[MsMims]

The difference is you're being responsible about making sure no one comes into contact with it middling

I have cats who adore bleach, if the floor has been mopped with it they have to be locked out to stop them rolling all over it.

[Ivanaflump]

I would speak to your environmental health unit, the details should be on your council website.
I would be surprised if it is allowed, can you see where it is running off to?

Many drains are connected to local ponds, waterways etc.
it's incredibly dangerous for birds, wildlife etc.

[lovelearning]

Many drains are connected to local ponds, waterways etc.
it's incredibly dangerous for birds, wildlife etc.

Furo, it's a ridiculous thing to do - I would go and tell her that.

[Furo]

Thanks for the replies. I haven't even thought of kids playing or the rest of the environment yet I might see if I can speak to her next time and ask politely if she cleans it off with water after although I wouldn't think so judging by the smell...

[VintagePerfumista]

The path to her own house, or a public footpath?

[TrionicLettuce]

You could always go down the route of suggesting something more effective (and safer) as the ammonia in bleach can actually encourage dogs to mark more.

[Furo]

Good point Tronic.

Vintage- it's the public footpath, she can do what she wants on her own property, whether anyone likes it or not.

[MyHairNeedsASnip]

Just out of interest what is a safe and effective deterrent? With the dark nights the shits are increasing round our way and it's vile.

[MiddlingMum]

MyHair a few years ago a guy in our road got so fed up of the dog poo that he put up lots of posters and a couple of fake cameras. It stopped about 75% of the mess immediately.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

Report to Environmental Health.
Horrible person, what a irresponsible thing to do.

[JanuaryMoods]

Maybe she dilutes it before putting it down. I'd rather have bleach on the footpath than dog shit, though.

[HyacinthsBucket]

Buy her some Jeyes fluid instead.....bleach is horrific, she could do serious damage to dog or cat paws.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

Bleach can hurt cats, squirrels, birds and insects.
Would you rather have that?

[Calca]

Keyes is way more corrosive than chloride bleach isn't it?

I'd also rather have diluted chloride bleach (as I'm sure either is) around than dog shit, which is disgusting. I'd also rather my kids and cats came i to contact with a recently bleached surface than one covered in dog shit.

[Calca]

jeyes

[JigglyTuff]

Bleach won't be at all good for your cats Calca

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

Where di your cats shit, Caca?

[Calca]

I don't bleach my cat?

[Portillolovestrains]

Yes, I was wondering that?

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

Sorry, Calca.

[Calca]

who knows where my cat shits, you can't smell it, it's not massive, it's not on the footpaths, it doesn't get all over people's shoes and it doesn't carry disease. in fact I never see it, unlike all the dogshit around. I think k she buries it, unlike next doors dogs.