Is It Possible To Position Yourself Better for This Chore?
You may laugh or be grossed out as you look at this picture below. But if you have a dog, cleaning up is a reality. It’s a subject that has caused some dissension amongst communities, especially suburban and urban ones, if one does not clean up after their dog. Read on for more about the necessity of scooping the poop.
Why Do Some People Not Scoop Their Dog’s Poop?
Before we talk about the best way to get prepared for scooping your dog’s poop, I’ll share a little bit of research with you. Why Do Some People Not Scoop Their Dog’s Poop? I asked this question in a forum not too long ago as research for this post. I got almost 1000 views, but not many answers. This could be because some are embarrassed to answer if they are offenders. And those who consistently scoop the poop may not know why others don’t.
Here are the answers I did get from the forum about why some people do not scoop their dog’s poop:
- Some do not see the need or importance of doing so
- Some do not know it is the law
- Some think it’s too gross
- Some forget to bring a bag to pick it up
- Some cannot bend over to pick it up
- Some could not get to the area their dog pooped (i.e., their dog pooped in a bush or down a steep hill)
- Some let their dog outside to roam unaccompanied
- Some thought others felt they were entitled, rude, or inconsiderate
- Some were lazy
The Risks of Not Scooping Poop
Scooping the poop is not a pleasant task – I get that. BUT nobody wants to see, smell, or step in it. They especially don’t want their kids to play in it. Not to mention it carries bacteria and grows maggots over time. This can make pets and people sick if they come in contact with it.
Dog waste contaminates groundwater, creeks, rivers, and lakes. Dog poop does not degrade quickly. It can sometimes take up to a year to decompose.
It is now a law in most places to scoop the poop. It can be a costly fine, can cause resentment from neighbors, and can cause people to get kicked out of their apartment communitOther Problems With Not Scooping
Have you ever been in a neighborhood Facebook group where people rant about it? I have, and it’s not nice.
There is a multitude of complaints. Neighbors get angry with each other, make comments and threats they later regret, and so on. Sometimes people set up cameras to find offenders. And it can steer potential home buyers away if they’ve been able to read these Facebook posts. This can hurt property values.
Scooping the poop is a great way to maintain civility within neighborhoods and community areas.
Did you ever see that episode of Billions, where the US Attorney Chuck Rhodes was so mad at a repeat offender he made the guy pick up after his dog by picking up the poop with his own hands? It’s best to be prepared.
If You See Someone Not Cleaning Up After Their Dog
Here’s something I have tried in the past. I saw a kid walking his dog. They stopped in our front yard so the dog could do his business. Then the kid and his dog walked off without any cleanup. Because it was a spring day with our windows open, and I was working right at that window, I could call out to the kid, “Do you need a bag to clean up after your dog?” He sheepishly said yes, so I brought out a plastic grocery bag. I gently said in a couple of sentences to him about the importance of scooping poop.
Ways Poop Scooping is Being Controlled in the Community
Instead of using security cameras, some rental agencies and communities are even going to DNA testing to control the problem. Here’s how it works. Tenants will have to swab the inside of their dogs’ mouths to provide a sample. The rental agency or Home Owners Association will then send the sample DNA to a specific DNA testing company.
When poop is found in the community that has not been picked up, a sample will be sent to the DNA company, which will then match the sample to the dog and the offending owner. Of course, this expense is likely passed onto the renters and bundled into Homeowners Association dues.
Getting More Comfortable With Scooping Poop
Have the right stuff with you to scoop the poop. Walk out the door prepared every single time with your dog. Even if your dog pooped 2 hours ago and you think there is no way he or she will poop again, it’s best to be prepared. The one time you don’t think they will poop is the one time they will. It’s Murphy’s Law, right?
Here’s How To Be Prepare To Scoop Poop
Have your dog on a regular leash (not a retractable one). Have poop bags, a flashlight, a couple of paper towels or hand wipes, and dog treats, especially if in the middle of potty training your dog. This can all be carried in a mini tote. This way, you have all the supplies needed for scooping poop without the embarrassment of flinging a full bag of poop around in your hand until you get to the trash can.
And you don’t have to buy expensive colorful scented poop bags unless you want to. Here are some things you can use that you might already have around your house:
* Plastic grocery bags
* Plastic produce bags
* Plastic newspaper bags
* Plastic sandwich bags (i.e., from Subways)
* Paper lunch bags if you don’t want to use plastic, although be forewarned there could be some soak through
And if you are sending your kid out to walk the dog, make sure you have taught them to scoop the poop and make sure he or she walks out the door each time with the right supplies to do their duty.
Join the movement to spread the word and scoop the poop.
Be comfortable with it and be prepared to do it.
Check out the
video on I get prepared.