Page 5 | Stopped and asked to see poo bags - is that acceptable?

ladytramper · 2021-10-26T12:53:31+00:00

Was walking dog today on the grounds of a housing estate (nothing fancy, but the green areas are managed privately, yet it is public accessible land and permitted for all dog walking nontheless) and the maintenance operative said, 'We've had some incidents here with people not picking up and I take their photo and get them prosecuted, so can I check do you carry bags?' Me, 'Yes, definitely, gives the rest of us a bad name, no excuse!' smile and nod. Him, after a long pause... 'Well, can I actually see them then?' 'Er...ok', show bags. Now, though, I'm feeling peeved that he didn't trust my word and at his rather bullish attitude (also thinking he was emboldened by the fact of me being a woman and younger than him).. Should I take it on the chin, or was he being OTT?

IntermittentParps · 27/10/2021 13:22

This law has yet to come into force. I'd be interested in how they're going to enforce it.

CovidCorvid · 27/10/2021 13:24

It seems quite a few councils, Glous, Boston and more have also adopted the same byelaw. I can't see if anyone has actually been fined though which I agree would be interesting to know.

CovidCorvid · 27/10/2021 13:25

Round here we have a byelaw in the local park about no off lead dogs. Signs up and £100 fine. People have been fined by council enforcement officers so I guess any lack of poo bag enforcement would be the same?

IntermittentParps · 27/10/2021 13:28

@CovidCorvid

Round here we have a byelaw in the local park about no off lead dogs. Signs up and £100 fine. People have been fined by council enforcement officers so I guess any lack of poo bag enforcement would be the same?

If a dog is off a lead then it's obvious it's off a lead and to impose a fine. My issue is, unless an enforcement person sees someone's dog shitting and them walking off and not picking up, there's nothing to enforce. Asking someone to prove they're carrying a poo bag by emptying their bag/pockets is not OK.

tickledtiger · 27/10/2021 13:29

One of my relatives merely pretends to scoop up the crap so unless you were standing right there you wouldn’t know. Also he wouldn’t get caught by the poop bag inspector because he’d always have bags… because they never get used. 😬

I still think poop bag inspectors would be a good thing. Anything to reduce the problem.

Bloodypunkrockers · 27/10/2021 13:36

@CocksAndKnobbers

It's a phrase that marks you out as a bit dim that's all. And yes, you can be fined for not having the means to clear up after your dog not sure what part of that is hard for you to grasp.

Just a bit?

It's up there with "jobsworth"

Heartdogs · 27/10/2021 14:57

Absolutely not OK to ask to see the bags or anything else. He wasn't even a police officer. Even police officers need a reason. You should have asked to see something of his.

IntermittentParps · 27/10/2021 16:37

'little Hitler' and 'jobsworth BOTH now 'mark you out as a bit dim', eh?
Right OK then.

CovidCorvid · 27/10/2021 22:25

If a dog is off a lead then it's obvious it's off a lead and to impose a fine. My issue is, unless an enforcement person sees someone's dog shitting and them walking off and not picking up, there's nothing to enforce.
Asking someone to prove they're carrying a poo bag by emptying their bag/pockets is not OK.

But that’s the bylaw…..they make it an offence to not have a bag. So the shitting is irrelevant. So they can by law enforce you not having a bag.

Or do you mean what power do they have to make you empty your pockets? Because that’s a good point and I’m not sure they do….but then why make the bylaw if they don’t? If I didn’t have a bag I wouldn’t admit it, I’d just refuse to empty my pockets to someone who isn’t the police.

IntermittentParps · 28/10/2021 09:15

Or do you mean what power do they have to make you empty your pockets?
Yes, that's exactly it.

Because that’s a good point and I’m not sure they do….but then why make the bylaw if they don’t? Good question and, again, that's what I was getting at.

I’d just refuse to empty my pockets to someone who isn’t the police.
Me too; that's my whole point really. (although even the police can't compel you to do that on a whim; they need a reason).

I just can't imagine a) some security person asking me to turn out my pockets or b) me (or any adult really) doing so. Or why said person would think it was OK to ask that.

BasiliskStare · 28/10/2021 14:11

Would anyone think it was unreasonable for a person who lives nearby who saw someone letting their dogs poo in the street ask the person to pick it up ? I am a dog owner and always pick up. & to take it home - don't just shove it in the gutter or chuck it by a tree.

IntermittentParps · 28/10/2021 16:10

@BasiliskStare

Would anyone think it was unreasonable for a person who lives nearby who saw someone letting their dogs poo in the street ask the person to pick it up ? I am a dog owner and always pick up. & to take it home - don't just shove it in the gutter or chuck it by a tree.

No. That's not the issue at hand here, though.

BasiliskStare · 28/10/2021 18:26

@IntermittentParps - that is a very fair point but if there are some people making sure people can pick up - I am OK with that - but I get your point. Personally I would be happy to show dog bags - but clearly some people disagree with me. We go to a park and I would be happy if the wardens ( they are not police ) asked me to turn out my pockets ( well show I had some dog bags )

Frankly anything which helps dog owners not annoy their neighbours I am in favour of. I love my dogs & the less annoyance mine or anyone else's dogs are the better. It helps everyone get along together so I would be happy for a slight inconvenience to do this.

Derbee · 28/10/2021 18:34

At our dog training classes, the first thing we do is show that we have poo bags on us before we start. So maybe I’m desensitised to showing poo bags on demand

IntermittentParps · 28/10/2021 19:39

[quote BasiliskStare]@IntermittentParps - that is a very fair point but if there are some people making sure people can pick up - I am OK with that - but I get your point. Personally I would be happy to show dog bags - but clearly some people disagree with me. We go to a park and I would be happy if the wardens ( they are not police ) asked me to turn out my pockets ( well show I had some dog bags )

Frankly anything which helps dog owners not annoy their neighbours I am in favour of. I love my dogs & the less annoyance mine or anyone else's dogs are the better. It helps everyone get along together so I would be happy for a slight inconvenience to do this.[/quote]
No, indeed they're not police, and that's part of my issue with it.
I am annoyed by dogshit left lying about, but I certainly don't feel aggrieved with all dog owners; I'm very aware that most are responsible and those who don't pick up poo are the irritating minority.
Basically what I'm trying to say is that minority are 'spoiling it for the rest of us' as my old teachers used to say

Meloncurse · 28/10/2021 19:42

The thing is, plenty of people seem to bag the poo and discard it which is even worse than leaving it in the first place so evidence of poo bags doesn't mean much. After all the eejits who hang bags from trees have poo bags

Saucery · 28/10/2021 19:46

@Derbee

At our dog training classes, the first thing we do is show that we have poo bags on us before we start. So maybe I’m desensitised to showing poo bags on demand

How infantalising!

BasiliskStare · 28/10/2021 20:49

@IntermittentParps - you may have gone to the same school as me - "Girls you are only spoiling for everyone else " Ha ha - anyway main point is I am not bothered if someone asks me to show evidence that I can pick up dog poo - whether they be park wardens or police or whatever. That is my responsibility . The next thing is to take those bags home and dispose of them yourself - - don't leave them in the gutter or round trees or definitely not in someone else's bin.

nancybotwinbloom · 28/10/2021 21:33

@MacavityTheDentistsCat

Where I live, many people just keep a spare one tied around their dog's lead to show they have one with them.

Such a good idea

nancybotwinbloom · 28/10/2021 21:36

I always take at least four in my pocket and I'd be happy to show them.

It's a deterrent being challenged.

There is a dickhead by mine who lets his dog go on the school pavement on the outside where everyone walks with prams. Not inside the school but just outside.

I'd love someone to do this by the school.

Derbee · 28/10/2021 22:25

@Saucery it’s just to make sure everyone is in the habit, because when the examiner comes for the tests, they always check as part of the requirements to pass

wolfstarling · 28/10/2021 22:29

I have been asked before by local council officer and I think you get a fine if you don't have enough bags.

IntermittentParps · 29/10/2021 09:45

[quote BasiliskStare]@IntermittentParps - you may have gone to the same school as me - "Girls you are only spoiling for everyone else " Ha ha - anyway main point is I am not bothered if someone asks me to show evidence that I can pick up dog poo - whether they be park wardens or police or whatever. That is my responsibility . The next thing is to take those bags home and dispose of them yourself - - don't leave them in the gutter or round trees or definitely not in someone else's bin.[/quote]
I went to a mixed-sex sink comprehensive, so I'm guessing 'spoiling it for everyone else' is a universal teacher cliché

We will have to agree to disagree about being asked to show poo bags; I think it's intrusive and infantilising and would refuse. Meloncurse makes a good point too, that people may well bag the poo but then discard it/hang it from trees, which makes evidence of them having bags quite meaningless.

BasiliskStare · 29/10/2021 12:45

Oh definitely hanging the poo bags on trees / discarding them on pavement / road is dreadful - I suppose I think if you have the bags in the first place there is half a chance you will dispose responsisbly - but I do see what you and Meloncurse are saying. @IntermittentParps - BTW Dh went to a mixed sex school - he had ( you are spoiling it for everyone else ) and also ( his favourite ) " this is only your own time you are wasting)" - I think there must be a teachers' handbook - Sorry for slight derail there .

IntermittentParps · 29/10/2021 13:10

this is only your own time you are wasting
God, I'd forgotten, but I used to get that one too