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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think the dog mess problem is getting much worse since Covid?

169 replies

sadpapercourtesan · 05/02/2021 15:28

It's actually spoiling most of my longer walks, now. Sad It's so disgusting, especially when it's left right in the middle of a pavement so people have walked through it already and made it virtually impossible to avoid.

In the interest of not drip-feeding, I have ASD and I know I am a bit of a loon about disgusting things/poo/bad smells. I avoid the local park in high summer because the stench walking past the dog bins makes me swoon.

Has anyone else noticed the dog mess being much more of a problem in recent months? What can be done about it? I know it's on me to "get over it" and not let it stop me from going for long walks, but I honestly find it so difficult when there's shit every 50 metres or so and even though I'm ridiculously hypervigilant, DH and the kids aren't.

OP posts:
peak2021 · 05/02/2021 15:29

Not that I have noticed. Mind you I do live in an area that has had a Tory MP for all but five years of the last 100.

VapeVamp12 · 05/02/2021 15:29

I agree - it has got worse. I have a dog, but I have never not picked up after her.

I moved onto to a soft verge to let a horse pass us the other day and trod in an almighty pile, it was so gross!!!

Mydogisagentleman · 05/02/2021 15:33

I collect other dog’s droppings when I’m out with mine

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 05/02/2021 15:34

Much, much worse where I am.

Pavements are shocking-the community wardens have just come to post signs but I doubt anyone who leaves it thinks it is ok so signs unlikely to make much difference.

I dog walk everyday on a park type place 5 mins walk from my house. Have done for years. Normally it is only very local dog walkers and the occasional pushchair etc but pretty empty.

It is now so busy at the weekends that locals don't go.
Which is fair enough as people need to get out but carparks full so lots of parking illegally on verges and other dangerous places. Rubbish bins over flowing. Rubbish left all over grass.
And have never seen so much dog poo left in the years of walking there. Normally you might see the occasional one every week or so but pretty immaculate. Now it is just disgraceful. There are wardens but it doesn't really make a difference. It is very sad!!

MrsExpo · 05/02/2021 15:34

Lots of people have acquired "lock down" dogs and more people are walking, so it stands to reason there's going to be more poop around. Especially as a lot of people who have newly acquired dogs don't seem to have a clue what to do with them .... the case around here anyway!!

So many inexperienced owners. I dread to think where the dogs came from (huge numbers being stolen all the time at the moment!) and what will happen to them (the dogs, not the owners) when the current owners get bored with them.

We live in rural area and walk a lot on cross country paths which are ridiculously muddy at the moment. Some get dog poo and mud mixed in together. Double yuk!! (I speak as a dog owner myself) .....

Original poster
sadpapercourtesan · 05/02/2021 15:34

@Mydogisagentleman that's so good of you!

If I tread in it I have to throw the shoes away, in fact last time it happened I cried Blush

I know I am unusually averse, but I do think it's unacceptable and disgusting to have faeces lying in the streets.

OP posts:
Bilgepumper · 05/02/2021 15:35

Yes it's much worse. I am a dog owner, who always picks up. Any dog mess left gives us all a bad name. It really annoys me, especially as it definitely has, got worse. This new breed of dog owners don't seem to know about responsible dog ownership.

WannabeOT · 05/02/2021 15:38

I don't think your reactions are extreme or unusual in away. It's dog shit, it's fucking disgusting.

It's a big problem around here and I don't know what can be done. Not just shit on the floor but dog poo bags hanging from bushes and fences. How can anyone think that is okay? It is ruining my enjoyment of where I live.

Sparklingbrook · 05/02/2021 15:41

Is it because dogs are getting walked twice as much due to lockdown boredom or everyone using the dog as an excuse for yet another lot of local exercise?
I’ve not noticed it really but there’s a few in these parts that do scoop it but hang it on a bush and leave it there. ☹️

LunaHeather · 05/02/2021 15:41

I've noticed this too. It puzzles me. I've mostly noticed in mum's area which is odd as hers isn't an area where dog ownership has increased.

Is it a sign of mental states - people can't bothered?

EmbarrassingAdmissions · 05/02/2021 15:43

A while back one of my aunts was waiting for her cataract operations. She used to cry with shame for the amount of dog mess that she inadvertently walked through and tracked into her flat.

101jobs · 05/02/2021 15:44

It makes my blood boil that there are some dirty scummy bastards out there who don’t pick it up!!!

However, I think the problem has got worse over the last 2-3 years, not just since lockdown.

AgentCooper · 05/02/2021 15:44

I’ve noticed this too. I think it’s worse more recently as I don’t remember it being this bad in summer when me and my 3 year old were pounding the pavements for hours. I guess people are fatigued and can’t be arsed but it’s horrible, like doing a shite obstacle course every time me and the wee one are out now.

Floralnomad · 05/02/2021 15:46

Far worse where we are .

alienspiderbee · 05/02/2021 15:49

There's a dog poo bin at the end of the track I run on, it's been overflowing for weeks so people just randomly chuck filled bags up round it's base. Take it home if the bins are full!

jgb129 · 05/02/2021 15:49

I wouldn’t say worse here but we already have a massive poo problem in our village anyway but it could be yes as more people are enjoying walking.

It drives my mad. I have two children and the amount of times they step in it is ridiculous. DS is autistic and sometimes he wants to roll down banks for fun but I have to say not as worry he’ll roll into poo. He doesn’t look out for it either.

Some assholes around here let their dogs shit by the school gates and don’t pick it up. That’s beyond vile.

Most dog owners including myself always pick it up. It’s the minority that let the rest down. My dogs actually won’t poop in public. She lies to save it for the garden 😭😱

iveturnedintoachip · 05/02/2021 15:50

So much fecking shit everywhere. I'm confused I live near a common & it's rare to see dog pooh on the streets but it's everywhere now.

Grapesoda7 · 05/02/2021 15:51

There is dog poo all over the pavement where I live. There are trails of it down the middle of the pavement where I presume people are just pulling their dogs along whilst they're pooing.

I trod in some the other day, there was dog poo at the end of my drive.

My daughter trod in some yesterday on her way to school.

I dread to think what will happen to all these dogs when their owners have to go back to work at the office again.

Meredithgrey1 · 05/02/2021 15:51

@peak2021

Not that I have noticed. Mind you I do live in an area that has had a Tory MP for all but five years of the last 100.
What? Do Tory MPs go round picking up after dogs in their constituency?
HappyThursdays · 05/02/2021 15:51

I don't think it's new dogs. I walk mine 2-3 times a day and the main park I walk in, there is a man who walks his 3 (not new) dogs and he walks round the outside of the park while his 3 dogs shit in the middle. He never picks it up.

I would never normally be working from home so wouldn't normally notice this. I am amazed how many dog owners let their dogs shit and walk away. Just can't get the mindset. I'm so paranoid of running out of poo bags, I take a whole roll with me when I go out Blush

iveturnedintoachip · 05/02/2021 15:52

I've not noticed more dogs though

sunflowersandbuttercups · 05/02/2021 15:52

No, I don't think it's worse - I just think more people are out walking and so it's become more noticeable. Sadly, it's always been a problem - there are lots of filthy buggers out there, and some of them are bound to be dog owners!

You could e-mail your local council and ask them to send the local dog warden out to the problem areas - they have the ability to issue fines if they catch anyone.

iveturnedintoachip · 05/02/2021 15:54

I've always walk my route to work (not wfh) so it's not that I'm out more either.

bunintheoven88 · 05/02/2021 15:54

It's terrible where I live, the pavements are covered, i'm so sick of dodging dog shit with my toddler in tow. We are getting work done and the amount of dog owners who throw poo bags in our skip but miss is infuriating, I would prefer it in there than the pavements but jesus at least TRY and aim Angry

Original poster
sadpapercourtesan · 05/02/2021 15:56

It's pretty much unthinkable to go off the path/pavement onto verges or grasses areas now. It's bad enough constantly dodging it ON the pavements, but on grassed areas it's untenable.

I don't think the council would be interested, the streets generally are filthy and full of litter at the moment here and nothing is being done about it.

OP posts: