Not clearing dog poo if you're too old/infirm?

[PipsHip]

My neighbour is ancient and quite bent over. She walks her dog on the footpath past my house (not pavement but a path heavily used by children etc) and obviously it poos. She doesn't pick it up but I doubt she can.

Legally she has to (I'm in Scotland and the exemptions are for registered guide and assistance dogs only). But I'm wondering what general public opinion is on whether it's okay? I don't intend to speak to her about it or anything as we have bigger issues round here than this one lady, but I'm curious what other people think.

YABU - the lady and her dog come first. Her being able to walk her dog may be her great joy so let her crack on. It would also be cruel to the dog not to walk it.

YANBU - it's a shame, but her dog's poo could potentially get in a toddler's mouth. She should keep her dog at home or pay someone to walk it (if she can afford to).

Dog poo on the pavement is disgusting if you end up treading in it (and I've got a dog). If she can walk the dog then she can use one of those sticks with the poo grabby bit on the end as others have said.

I'm not sure she'd manage the scooper - she has a walking stick in one hand and the dog lead in the other. I realise she is an unusual case but that's why I'm curious what people think. So far most think her enjoyment of dog walking does not trump other people's clean environment. Tough, but fair, I guess.

😂😂😂😂

YANBU. If she's too old to pick up after her dog she is too old to own a dog.

Definitely not a hill to die on. My very elderly mother lost her last dog a few years ago. She was just about able to do this then, but wouldn't be now - and I know she'd find that stressful. But the joy that dog brought her was incalculable. Go after the able-bodied. We will all be disabled, if only by age, one day.

I think ultimately she's too old to care for a dog and should ideally take to a rescue centre. But I'd be very slow to judge as I imagine that the dog is a lynchpin in her life and is helping her maintain her current fitness.

It’s not one turd though is it-unless the turd fairies take it away at night 💩 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩

Surely if you have a pet you should have the wherewithal to do what's necessary for it, how does she manage to pick up the dogs bowl from the floor etc.?

It would annoy me also OP. I'd probably just end up picking it up for her. With the thought of at least the dog is company for her.
My main annoyance would be if she replaces it when it dies knowing she is unable to clean up after it.

The thing is, she's not all that unusual. Plenty of elderly people can't get around without a stick or scooter. Should they all be able to just let their dogs shit everywhere without having to clear it up?

Picking up the poo is part of caring for a dog. She needs to either get help or rehome the dog. Leaving shit everywhere isn't acceptable for anyone.

I think k she should get a device to be able to pick it up, not right to leave it whatever her age or infirmity

Brilliant! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

My neighbour is early 90s, uses a walking stick and has a dog. He always picks up after his dog. Unlike the old lady who is at least a decade younger than him with no walking stick and takes her dog on a walk around our cul de sac, not only not picking up it’s poo but actually letting it crap on our front lawn and in other people’s front garden too. It’s utterly gross.

Even a younger guy in a wheelchair has a scooper on a long stick and picks up after his dog. This old lady has no excuse unless she has dementia or similar.

She could stick and flick off the path if it’s an issue and there is a suitable hedgerow.

If you can’t manage the responsibilities of being a dog owner don’t have one .

I don’t know really, I was picking some up one day and wondering it actually! Sometimes it’s hard to get down to it- especially if they’ve done it as you crossed the road/ walk off as you’re picking up (!)

The joy not treading on dog poo brings me is incalculable. I don’t care if someone’s sole joy is their dog: find a new joy or pick up the poo.

What about elderly/infirm people who may step in the poo and then have their house ruined, and not be able to clean it well? There are long handled scooper things she could use if she can't get support with this, and if she genuinely can't manage, she won't be managing other aspects of the dog's care either.

Everyone, regardless of age must absolutely pick up all traces of their dog’s shit. Eww if not. Eww.

If she can’t fulfill her responsibilities as a pet owner, which includes picking up dog shit,then she shouldn’t be a pet owner. I don’t blame you OP for not being happy about this.

Don't be a pooper, buy a scooper.

I walk with a stick. Doesn’t mean I can’t pick up. It’s not easy but that doesn’t mean I can just not bother.

This. Its revolting not to pick up dog shit

it is wrong
if she cant pick up after her dog he should go in the garden