Dogs and poo and public areas. Why isn't this practice questioned more?

[Exgiraffe]

Just returned from a walk (with dc, no dogs as I don't have one) and started to think about how extraordinary it is that people take dogs on walks in public parks and green spaces specifically to give them the opportunity to poo!!

Why isn't this practice questioned more by the community? Surely dog owners are the minority so why aren't communities discussing this and requiring dog owners to change their behaviour and encourage dogs to poo at home.

This is especially an issue in cities where green grass and space are limited. Even if dog owners scoop up the poo there would be remnants on the grass where unsuspecting picnickers sit and children play upon.

Let's start planning for a shit free world!

Free Imodium for all!

Agree with the rubbish argument.
As pointed out above, naturally occurring animals are culled if they pose a threat to health.
It is cats and dogs which seem to have a greater status than most normal animals, and no consequences are imposed on them, or rather their owners.
Fags, nappies, and rubbish should be returned to their owners and posted through their doors in the same way dog shit be posted through the dog owner's door, and cats likewise.

Yep agree that litter is awful too. Birds etc aren't the same though - dogs are only there because humans put them there. It's not a natural phenomena. So if you introduce something to an environment, surely it behoves you to do so in a way that has the least impact on others. You might think it's enough to scrape the worst of the waste into a bag, but I think it would be better if the waste was just confined to your own property altogether. Because it's not just on the streets; very often dogs off lead aren't followed and picked up after if they're, say, in a forest or nature reserve or similar and running around freely. Owners seem to think that's ok because it's not on the path, but it's not very nice, is it?

naturally occurring animals are culled if they pose a threat to health.
It is cats and dogs which seem to have a greater status than most normal animals, and no consequences are imposed on them, or rather their owners
this is very true!

the balance of opinion on this thread is a clear indication that dog activity is widely seen as problematic

What you gonna do WordThe? Polish up your 12 bore and get set to knock the 'vermin' out from your local park?

@wordthe there is no 'balance of opinion' here. There are a couple of other whack jobs like you but the vast majority think you probably need to be sectioned....

@wordthe there is no 'balance of opinion' here. There are a couple of other whack jobs like you but the vast majority think you probably need to be sectioned....

Applauds @MakeA

I cannot see how planning for dog shit free world can ever be part of a balanced discussion.

I would not be questioning why dogs poo in public, but why their bleeding owners don't pick it up!

I took my dog for a walk on a public footpath that leads to my mum's cafe the other week and he did a poo. Rummaged around in my pockets for a poo bag and could find one, either left it in the car or it fell out my pocket:( I had to do the embarrassing walk away and hope no-one thinks I'm intentionally leaving it.

When I got to the cafe, it's dog friendly so knew my mum would have something there for me, took a bag back up the footpath and picked it up.

I'm 22 and the laziest sod going, if I can make an effort to pick up something that can potentially blind a child then so can everyone else.

Maybe we should have a dog island like the Wes Anderson film? Send them all away from the civilised human race ...

Shortandsweet - I've had my teenage son bring the dogs back from a walk and then rush out again because on one occasion he forgot to take a bag and wasn't going to leave the poo for someone to stand in.

But a few posters on here think that all dog owners are tarred with the same brush.

@tinstar.

Have you always grown up with dogs? I have, I've always had it absolutely drummed into me that you cannot leave poo. My dad asked me once if in would like it if someone came into my garden and pooed it in then left. That put it into perspective!

I think people who 'buy puppies for Christmas' are more likely to be the ones that don't realise how it can affect people.

Tbh I think the younger generations have had picking up poo drummed into them, Dog shit was rife in the 70s/80s - you couldnt buy dog poo bags, they didn't make them ( although I recall less dogs being around ).

Interesting blog on dog littering law -

www.kentishtowner.co.uk/2016/03/16/dog-poo/

As a few other posters have pointed out though bagging and binning dog poo is surely just as bad as nappies? As far as putting it in plastic bags and throwing to landfill is concerned. Surely there must be a better way as we can’t just leave it lying around but bagging it up isn’t ideal either? Pet ownership isn’t great for the environment either

Thats because chardonnay you need balanced people for balanced discussion yet you cannot see the perspective of anyone other than yours.
As someone who has been sectioned-shit joke btw and v insulting-I largely agree with Word even if their wording is not how I'd write.

We use biodegradable poo bags.

I guess you have both parents and dog owners who aren't eco aware!

Even 'biodegradable' bags don't break down properly in landfill, unfortunately.

Dogs alone produce a million tons of waste a year in the UK.

Wordthe is a regular, he/she likes to mention that dogowners have quasisexual ideas about their pets.

Probably where the idea that mental help might be needed.

Ah.

I recognise DS is part of my OCD, it stems from something disgusting. I physically wretch if I see it, even thinking about it makes me heave and I can smell it. So any dog or dog poo evokes a visceral response. I hate it.

Thats fair enough 70sbaubles, I can understand and sympathise.

I think this argument will go on and on and forever more, sadly you will always have dickhead pet owners who don't pick up the shit and you will have owners that always do.
Dogs aren't at fault, humans are.

Even 'biodegradable' bags don't break down properly in landfill, unfortunately. Dogs alone produce a million tons of waste a year in the UK.

I too, buy biodegradable Beco poo bags. They're the best of what's available, as far as I know - if you have better, sensibly priced options I would be happy to hear more. I've got to use something to pick up after DDog. They are, however, far lighter than thinner than a disposable nappy; you'd probably have to use a months worth of poo bags to equal one nappy.

If we really want to get into questions over the broader environmental impact of dogs, I would suggest that the meat they eat has a bigger effect, and things like unrecyclable food pouches (I use tins) and all the dog toys DDog has destroyed with glee

I'm not that clued up on meat/animal by waste and it effects on the planet, but surely the pet food industry helps diminish some of the waste? ( Yes I know animals then create waste by the fact of consuming ).
I use tinned pet food too, so they get recycled.

Broadly speaking my position is as follows:
I recognise that the bond between dogs and humans is important
The rise in dog ownership in combination with a lack of restrictions means that dogs now constitute a nuisance
I would like to see legislation designed to restrict the numbers of dogs and restrict the extent to which dog behaviour impacts on other people

If we really want to get into questions over the broader environmental impact of dogs, I would suggest that the meat they eat has a bigger effect, and things like unrecyclable food pouches (I use tins) and all the dog toys DDog has destroyed with glee

Well, exactly - it's all completely unsustainable at the current level. Like many other human activities. Just because it's hard to imagine how we could change things, doesn't mean we can just throw our hands up and wait until the day when it's too late.

Perhaps dog owners could call for proper municipal composting of animal waste? Or I believe it's possible to do in your own garden if you have one. A bokashi bin type arrangement.