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Heavy petting: Our furry/scaly/feathered friends

The problem with poo

LISAN JUTRAS

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 5:00 PM EST 28/04/08

Most people have learned to pick up after their pets, but cities still don't know what to do with all those stinky little baggies ...Read the full article

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  1. d s from Canada writes: "Heavy petting: The problem with poo"? That has to be one of the worst headlines I've ever read.
  2. MQ9 Reaper from Canada writes: It smell so bad, I'm sure it has some useful qualities. Perhaps as rocket fuel!
  3. Sean L. from Toronto Center, Canada writes: Drop your "poo" off at city hall. It will blend in with the rest of the sh... that is stinking up this city.
  4. The Bull from Canada writes: simple - a dog tax.

    or - ban them, like hand guns.

    i'll live to be a billion and i won't understand dog-owners - the most selfish people on the planet.

    get rid of the cats, too, if that helps.

    and pan-handlers.

    clean it up!
  5. this is just my opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: Yes, Bull, let's just get rid of all the animals...and the people too, they're the worst problem on the planet! Shall we pack them all in plastic bags? Or would you prefer a mass grave full of dogs, cats, street people and pet owners? Yes, then we could just Bull-doze them under and there would be no one left except you, Bull.
  6. Lee Turner from Canada writes: I bury my dog's leavings. Instead of a plastic bag, I pack a small garden shovel, and just dig a hole, scoop the poop in, and put the soil back on top. Let nature do it's work, and no plastic bags around for the next several hundred years.
  7. Matthew Wylie from writes: Under the headline it reads "most people have learned to pick up after their pets . . ." Apparently, Lisan Jutras doesn't live in my neighbourhood. As the snow melts, its not flowers that emerge but dog sh..
  8. Dan Thomas from Canada writes: Bull, I do pay a tax for my dog, it's called a dog licence.
  9. Howard Roark from Canada writes: Lee Turner from Canada writes: I bury my dog's leavings. Instead of a plastic bag, I pack a small garden shovel, and just dig a hole, scoop the poop in, and put the soil back on top. Let nature do it's work, and no plastic bags around for the next several hundred years.

    Good idea, except in a neighbourhood. I catch someone digging a hole on my front lawn to bury poop, and I will be digging a larger hole.

    I conscientiously bag my dog's poop, but disposal is a problem. We use plastic bags, but I know this is not good.
  10. Gray Rabbit from Canada writes: Flush it down the toilet, but please flush twice.
    Because it's a long way to City Hall cafeteria

    and while I'm typing, I propose we ban Bull
  11. Borys Nijinski from Canada writes: As big a problem as that is with dogs, the bigger problem in my neighbourhood is people using public garbage cans for household waste -- big green bags that should be put to the curb are appearing in the public trash cans. The city's response...remove the cans; the result: kids walking to and from school throw their trash on the ground. When confronted about the use of public cans for family waste, the argument put forward is that it is okay because I let my dog pee on trees.
  12. Dave Woodsman from Canada writes: Come on, let''s be realistic here. This post should be very tactful and diplomatic, or G&M will just remove it. The facts remain that a person who wants or needs to own and be the master of a lower animal that is a worshiping slave is one very sick person. Cat owners are bad enough, but they're normally just so silly it's embarrassing to observe. Dog owners, on the other side of the coin, are very sick, twisted, warped human beings. There is no conceivable justification for tolerating that kind of sicko pervert in our culture. Someone who needs a worshiping slave is someone who needs medical help.
  13. Dan Thomas from Canada writes: Are you just stupid Dave? Is that what you think having a pet is about? Do you understand the mutual relationship? My dog is loved, fed and cared for. My dog is a companion, not a slave. Get a life Dave.
  14. David Spaetzel from Port Elgin, Canada writes: Dave, now really. A worshiping slave? Dogs are unquestioning companions, friends for life, trusted helpers. But worshiping slaves? Give me a break.
  15. Ed Lewis from Sanityville, Canada writes: Dave Woodsman from Canada writes: "Come on, let''s be realistic here. This post should be very tactful and diplomatic, or G&M will just remove it. The facts remain that a person who wants or needs to own and be the master of a lower animal that is a worshiping slave is one very sick person. Cat owners are bad enough, but they're normally just so silly it's embarrassing to observe. Dog owners, on the other side of the coin, are very sick, twisted, warped human beings. There is no conceivable justification for tolerating that kind of sicko pervert in our culture. Someone who needs a worshiping slave is someone who needs medical help. "

    ----------------------------------------
    Perhaps Dave is right.....maybe a suitable replacement for pets would be Trolls.....I would be willing to try it out....what is your neck size Dave? I'll get a nice comfy collar to fit you along with a lovely muzzle. First thing to do then would be to get you neutered - can't think of a better way to help society than to prevent you from reproducing.
  16. Dave Woodsman from Canada writes: Dan and David - In case you care, many slave owners have said exactly what you say, for thousands of years. It isn't anymore convincing or persuasive than it was 2,500 years ago. You're trying to convince yourselves, not anyone else.
    Ed Lewis - Yeah, I've seen your posts before. You're not worth a response.
  17. MQ9 Reaper from Canada writes: Dave Woodsman - there is a void between your ears that seeks worship from a lower animal. But seriously, man - you need a shrink's help if that's the way you really perceive pet owners. Thanks for the laugh though.
  18. Dave Hutchinson from Canada writes:
    Ha ha Dave Woodsman!
    Ed Lewis is spot on - you're nothing more than an internet Troll that posts inane, ridiculous material solely to try to get a rise out of people. School must have let out early today....
  19. Dave Woodsman from Canada writes: Huhn. Looks like I hit a very sensitive nerve ending. Gee, I wonder why.
  20. Dan Thomas from Canada writes: So you suggest an emancipation proclamation for doggies? If you ask my dog I'm sure she'll tell you it's very much a mutual and reciprocal relationship. I'm assuming you can talk to dogs since you're so sure of yourself. You have no idea just how stupid you sound do you? Yeah I'd say you're just a crazy little troll. I really find your statements laughable.
  21. Allison Porter from Vancouver, Canada writes: Dave Woodsman, are you being wilfully ignorant? A slave is an unpaid servant. I can't speak for other pet owners, but my pet doesn't do any work. I on the other hand, buy her food and toys, bath her, and pick up her poop. I think you have the slave/owner relationship backwards.
  22. Michele K from Ottawa, Canada writes: Well, these kinds of articles always seem to bring out the dog-haters - yes, we should all pay our tax dollars to build them their polluting snow mobile runs and accommodate their destructive ATV-ing and cross-country-biking ways, not to mention their hunting and waterway-polluting boating and the costly rescues associated with them, but gawd forbid anyone of us should have a dog or cat! Pet 'ownership' is associated with good health and lower healthcare costs - don't think we can say the same of any of the above (canoers excepted), so the least we as a society can do is provide effective means for disposal of pet waste. I certainly pay my share of taxes to pay for disposal of your kids' diapers.

    In Ottawa, they recently tried the, 'let's just not give them any receptacles' approach, which I gather failed miserably - I'm willing to poop and scoop according to whatever method they decide on - I am not, however, prepared to be treated like some kind of second-class citizen, just because it costs few bucks to deal with dog waste.
  23. whatevah D from Canada writes: Dave Woodsman from Canada writes: Dan and David - In case you care, many slave owners have said exactly what you say, for thousands of years. It isn't anymore convincing or persuasive than it was 2,500 years ago. You're trying to convince yourselves, not anyone else.
    Ed Lewis - Yeah, I've seen your posts before. You're not worth a response.

    If someone wants to give me a comfortable home, let me sleep all day, feed me, pay for me to get walked and give me lots of cuddles, while I sit around looking cute and chewing all the shoes in sight for fun, sign me up for slavery!
  24. Robert Tomas from Toronto, Canada writes: Can you people not stay on the message? I thought we are discussing dog poop disposal, not relative merits or lack thereof of other posters' intelligence. I use biodegradable bags, but that's no good, as it goes with general garbage as well... So maybe city should supply in dog parks a designated "poop can", with biodegradable bags available? that is where majority of waste is generated anyway. I'm sure the expense would be much smaller than Parisian "poop vacuums" - and as one of the posters already pointed out, we are paying "dog tax".
  25. harry carnie from Northern,B.C, Canada writes: All the fuss about dog poo?
    Can it really be worse than the poo filled disposable diapers in the garbage?

    Bobert Tomas has a practical suggestion.Would say add to this, ALL home and restaurant organics.
    Methane generation? or composting.

    Why is it so much easier to "just complain" about a situation rather than find a solution?
  26. My eyes are open, Are yours? from Canada writes: What is it about dogs or their owners, that dogs cannot poop on their own property?

    Why can't dogs be trained to poop in their own yard, and then as a reward for good behavior, be taken for a walk? No walk until you poop. Then owners can just pick it up and put it in the green bin, maybe keep a separate, lined bin for it for a week or so. Or bury it in your own yard. Or flush it.

    Some dog owner explain this to me please.
  27. C A from Toronto, Canada writes: i dont care what you dog owners do with your dog poop as long as me, someone who doesnt own a dog, doesnt have to pay for it.

    its absurd to me that i have to dodge sh!t when walking through the park to do my grocery shopping and again dodge it some more when i'm walking back.

    i dont like to bash dog owners as i realize its usually a few bad ones who ruin it for all but i'm really sick and tired of being treated as a second class citizen to dogs and their owners who apparently have little respect for others.

    its bad enough dogs are allowed on transit and in stores (please note i'm not talking about trained seeing eye dogs)... i dont pay ttc fares to ride with pet dander and drool. i also dont need some ugly lap dog breathing on me when i'm trying to take the ttc home in peace.

    they're dogs people.. dont lose sight of that.
  28. bj sutherland from Victoria, Canada writes: I think burying the poop is a good idea but won't work on a sidewalk, so please start using biodegradable doggy bags.
  29. C A from Toronto, Canada writes: My eyes are open, Are yours?

    BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!! allow your dog to sh!t on your own dog loving property and then its your damn problem, not everyone elses :D
  30. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: For My eyes are open: "Some dog owner explain this to me please."

    My dog won't poop on our property. Not since the day we brought her home. Never has. Never will. Ever heard the phrase "don't sh** where you eat?" My dog has. She took it literally. No amount of begging, pleading, commanding, walking, talking etc has changed her mind.

    The CLOSEST she has ever pooped is two properties over, and that was because she had a... ummm... stomach ailment, shall we say. The rest of the time, it's a block or more away.

    Anyway, I'd love to have a biodegradable dog waste bag. In the meantime, I use the many hundreds of grocery bags we've accumulated over the years. I always bring it home and put it in the green bin. I don't see the big deal.
  31. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: Re: biodegradable dog bags....

    Yeah, I've seen the current stuff on the market. Small, expensive things tinted green for marketing purposes.

    First, I don't pay 50 cents or a buck a pop for poop bags.

    Second, big dog people.... double-fisters... YOU try navigating THAT into something the size of a Ziploc sandwich bag.

    Lotsa luck.
  32. The Bull from Canada writes: yikes you people are touchy.

    and i was only half kidding - i like cats.

    but dogs? in a city? crapping everywhere? sniffing at people on subways and patios? peeing on everything? gimme a break.

    tell me where you live so i can go pee and crap on your front porch. see how you like that.

    ban dogs.

    and pigeons.
  33. Kim Philby from Ottawa, Canada writes: Okay, so the consensus is: whoever invents a poop picker-upper bag that can be flushed down the crapper (after all, that's what we do with our "leavings") is going to become a zillionaire. On your marks, get set...invent!
  34. Robert Rivers from France writes: Just for your notice, the reason Paris cleaned up is not because of the Parisians cared but because Paris is comprised mostly of everyone from everywhere but France. North Americans are rampant there looking for some 'Eldorado' of cultural affluence or something. Where I am located there is still dog (why can't I say shi**?) everywhere, it is business as usual.
  35. T H from Canada writes: We've got a dog who will poop in our yard, but prefers to poop while out on the town. Like many of you, we pick up his leavings with grocery bags, and it bothers me to see so many of those going into our garbage, and ultimately into a landfill. If plastic bags are banned in Ontario (and I honestly wish they would), we're going to be up sh*t creek, as they say.

    We're looking into one of those poop composters - apparently you bury the black plastic container almost completely in the ground, and the enzymes take care of the rest. A friend of ours swears by hers, and has used it happily for over a year.

    We're also happy to flush our kitty litter - PC Green has a flushable litter made from corn cobs that we tried last fall, and thankfully our little furballs quite like it.
  36. S G from A Less Happy Place, Canada writes: In Geneva, dog poop is all over the sidewalks. You have to look down when you walk to avoid the doo-doo mines.

    You, my Canadian brethren, are lucky that you're debating about poop bagging politics, as I'm living in a place that hasn't even got that far yet....
  37. PANIC! At The Ice Floe from Canada writes: Simple Answer: Ban dog ownership in cities. Dogs aren't meant for city living anyways. Owning a dog in a city environemnt is cruel punishment to the dog. Dogs were meant to be outside, running free. Not cooped up in some small area 23 1/2 hours a day. To this there is NO dispute.

    PS: What is the carbon footprint of a 40LB dog anyways? Someone here must know!
  38. Maureen Harvey from Ottawa, writes: Well, these posts have certainly stirred up the s**t, haven't they? I own 2 dogs (shoot me now!) and therefore double the trouble. So, what's the problem? "Live and let live" is a good motto.
  39. ken kolthammer from Edmonton, Canada writes: Several years ago, after collecting a winters worth of poop from two large dogs, a favorite lazer- radar trap site was rendered unusable while serving to fertilize the grass where it was deposited.
  40. Leslie Moor from Toronto, Canada writes: A few comments come to mind. First, dogs have been part of human societies for thousands of years and the idea that we could or should ban them because some of us find their feces an irritant seems strikingly myopic. Speaking of "societies", a growing and disturbing trend of late is the attitude that everyone's rights are protected as long as they don't inconvenience me in any way whatsoever. Part of living in a society involves compromises and concessions, and that includes a reasonable amount of tolerance for other people's choices (including dog ownership) even if you would never think making such a choice yourself. And yes, that does mean you may need to subsidize with your tax dollars certain services related to dogs, just as dog owners subsidize other community services that they don't use. As for dog excrement, when I was growing up nobody picked up after their dog and yes it was gross (especially in spring), but nobody died of it and we didn't have the problem we have today of millions of plastic bags clogging up our landfills. Dog feces is natural, plastic bags aren't. Maybe we've chosen the worse of two evils. Having said that, biodegradable pickup bags and city composting bins in parks sounds like a solution we could all live with.
  41. Liam Coleman from Toronto, Canada writes: I have two small dogs and the city collects a license fee from me every year. Now they're complaining about my dog's poop?

    I think this resembles the tire disposal fee that motorists have been paying for years. The revenue disappears into the general coffers instead of solving problems associated with the source of the revenue. The tire disposal fees are collected and we still have tire dumps. The dogs are still licensed, but the cash disappears and there are still turds to be dealt with. Why can't the folks who collect taxes and fees realize that taxpayers want some tangible return.

    When we pay taxes, the system should devote specific revenues to specific problems. Instead, the cash disappear into general revenues, never to be accounted for again. Gas taxes should pay for road repairs, tire disposal fees should help dispose of tires, and dog license fees should help with the cleanup of dog poop. How hard is that?
  42. Dan Thomas from Canada writes: Our dog is 14lbs and leaves a smaller turd than the average house cat and yes we do have her go in our yard before heading to the park, we put the poo in the compost pile. We also pay for a licence like I said earlier and have a right to have her in our home. Just because some of you stepped in poop doesn't mean all dog owners are guilty. Hell I've stepped in poo myself, sorry guys, it happens. Birds also crap directly on people, be thankful dogs don't. I've seen kids that leave behind more mess at the park than a dog, chip bags, wrappers and bottles, should we ban kids too? Bull, you can't tell me that taking a dump on a persons porch is the same as a dog pooping on your lawn, get real. Dog pee is nothing, hell my dog will pee in our yard and then fake a pee every block, at best squeezing out a whole drop. This article was about how far things have come in regards to dog sanitation and how to make it more environmentally friendly to pick up after your dog. Consider that leaving it where it is benefits the environment more than sticking it in a plastic bag. So rather than calling for a ban that will never happen, lets hear some REALISTIC suggestions.
  43. Yourname 2 from Canada writes: whatevah d wrote;
    "If someone wants to give me a comfortable home, let me sleep all day, feed me, pay for me to get walked and give me lots of cuddles, while I sit around looking cute and chewing all the shoes in sight for fun, sign me up for slavery!"

    And furthermore; I want a bellyrub and a cookie!!!
  44. N N from Toronto, Canada writes: Ban dogs. I'm tired of them being off leash and terrorizing my young children anyway.
  45. Wilf Kruggel from Canada writes: I agree, ban dogs and cats. You would not beleive how many dogs and cats were dropped off by our place in the autum. One time
  46. Wilf Kruggel from Canada writes: ban dogs and cats period. you would not believe the dogs and cats that are dropped off in the country in the autum. One year
  47. Chadwick Minh from Canada writes:
    Pet peeve -- people who pick up their pet's biodegradable scat in a non-biodegradable plastic bag, and then tie the bag to a tree limb or fence because they can't be bothered to find a garbage can.
  48. Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes, Canada writes: This is all rather crappy. I wonder how people live with themselves knowing Victoria discharges an entire City's load untreated every day. Montreal not so much better as well. Any others that you Folks know of? Makes me wonder how the marine life thinks of us as they manoever around the park???
  49. jo bob from Canada writes: N N - It is highly unlikely that the dogs are "terrorizing" your young children. If you mean a dog runs up to your kid and licks his/her face, that is not "terrorism". That is good, healthy fun! Too many children (and small dogs) are trained, by adults, to become afraid of dogs.

    Ban kids - I'm tired of them terrorizing my dogs. And, they're bigger carbon producers.
  50. Nassar Ben Houdja from Canada writes: Put an address sticker and a stamp on the bag and mail it to your favorate civic politician. They always like to hear from constituents. A definition of political correctness is insisting that a tuurd can be picked up by the clean end. Who but an alderman is better to demonstrate?
  51. The Religious Left from Canada writes:
    jo bob from Canada writes: N N - It is highly unlikely that the dogs are "terrorizing" your young children. If you mean a dog runs up to your kid and licks his/her face, that is not "terrorism". That is good, healthy fun! Too many children (and small dogs) are trained, by adults, to become afraid of dogs.

    If it's healthy fun or not depends on the person. Let me guess, you let your dog run you around like he owns you and tell the people he bothers that "he's just being friendly"?

    Not everyone likes dogs, it's not your place to 're-train' people to like dogs. It's your job to train your dog and keep him in control and leech him if you can't.
  52. Craig Cooper from Toronto, writes: Give dog owners slingshots.
  53. chris ohenry from Toronto, Canada writes: Christ, you people need to lighten up and realize what kind of society you live in. Ban dogs? Are you insane? Having pets is an integral part of Anglo-Saxon culture. Its part of our Canadian way of life. Pets make for better, more caring people. They overwhelmingly bring joy aka happiness to owners and strangers. They are our companions. And don't forget, without dogs we would never have evolved to where we are today. What do you think warned and protected the tribe from dangers, helped on the hunt, helped herding livestock? Without dogs, we'd all still be banging stones to make fire.
    So haters, lighten up on the pooches. And think how much cr$p and you emit into the world each day.
  54. Ed Lewis from Sanityville, Canada writes: PANIC! At The Ice Floe from Canada writes: "Simple Answer: Ban dog ownership in cities. Dogs aren't meant for city living anyways."
    ------------------------
    Neither are children...lets ban them in cities as well.

    "Owning a dog in a city environemnt is cruel punishment to the dog. Dogs were meant to be outside, running free. Not cooped up in some small area 23 1/2 hours a day. To this there is NO dispute."

    Having a child in a city environment is cruel punishment to the child....children were meant to be outside, running free, not cooped up in some apartment...to this there is NO dispute. Having children in a city exposes them to gangs, drugs, crime, pedophiles, heavy traffic, concentrated pollution, general city stresses, and so on....its far too cruel a place for a child to be.

    ---------------------------------

    "PS: What is the carbon footprint of a 40LB dog anyways? Someone here must know!"

    PS. What is the carbon footprint of a 40LB child anyways?

    ---------------------------------

    So, no dogs, no children.....what will we ban next?
  55. Prairie Boy from Canada writes: My biggest complaint about Calgary's dog parks is that their are no garbage cans. The last time I was there a matainance shed nearby with sand so it wouldn't be too much for a garbage can. I like the idea of backwoodsing it with a shovel but impractical in the neighbourhood I live in.
  56. Harbinger from Out West from Prince George, Canada writes: Given the hate on for China these days, find an address there and mail it to them.
  57. Pelotas Piquen from Whiplash Sk., Canada writes: Ban children. I'm tired of them being off leash and terrorizing my young dog anyway.
  58. joel freeman from Toronto, Canada writes: Biodegradable bags for poo or green bin or whatever. $15 for a gazillion or them at Costco.

    Dogs are people too you know.
  59. Harbinger from Out West from Prince George, Canada writes: Western countries have their dogs and cats and budgies. Third World countries have their goats, pigs and chickens. Not very far apart, are we?
  60. Wilma De Bruyn from Toronto, Canada writes: joel freeman from Toronto, Canada writes: Biodegradable bags for poo or green bin or whatever. $15 for a gazillion or them at Costco.

    Dogs are people too you know.
    Posted 22/04/08 at 9:23 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link

    Dogs will never be people in my lifetime, maybe in yours.
    Perhaps that is why we see some in strollers and dressed.
    Is it in bed with you also???
    And as far as the doo doo goes---take a walk to the legislature where McGuilty works, and let the gardners clean it up--they have a
    large green space there. Maybe then they'l catch on to the problem.
  61. Dan Thomas from Canada writes: Wilma, our dog sleeps in our bed, my wife loves having the dog at her feet at night and the dog is happy plus the dog is so small anyway. Our dog also sleeps on the couch if she wants, she has the run of the house. Outside is a different matter, leash at all times.
  62. Paul G from Toronto, Canada writes: To jo bob from Canada:

    I was once attacked by a Labrador while riding my bike on a busy bike trail in the City. It broke the skin on my leg and wouldn't let go. The owner said it was because I was riding a bike the same as the one that was stolen from her.

    Always a story with these dog owners. Problem is some are responsible and some aren't.
    ...
  63. Liz McIntosh from Toronto, writes: I own a large dog and I pick up after him on our walks.....I also pick up broken glass when possible. For all the complaining about the odd turd, I've never known a dog to break a bottle on the path or discard a needle or used condom. I don't think the main problem is the dog and its owner........
  64. jo bob from Canada writes: jo bob from Canada writes: N N - It is highly unlikely that the dogs are "terrorizing" your young children. If you mean a dog runs up to your kid and licks his/her face, that is not "terrorism". That is good, healthy fun! Too many children (and small dogs) are trained, by adults, to become afraid of dogs.

    If it's healthy fun or not depends on the person. Let me guess, you let your dog run you around like he owns you and tell the people he bothers that "he's just being friendly"?

    ...Nope, both of my large dogs are trained on a perfect heel command on my left side, and yes I ALWAYS pick up after them. I don't allow my dogs to jump on children - I just think more people could benefit from the affections of a dog.

    And, please don't judge all dog owners because of the irresponsible ones.
  65. Ronald Needmayer from Canada writes: They should DNA test all dogs (at owner's expense, part of licensing) and then fine the owner a large amount if their feces is found in a public place. Something like $2000 would be appropriate. The stuff is all over sidewalks, roads, and parks here in Saskatoon.

    I like dogs, but not their owners.
  66. Open Mike from Canada writes: Well, dogs need a place to dump, don't they? and there's all that lovely park-space and wildlife habitat no-one's using and what could then be more natural than letting our pooches use our parks as a big dog-crapper? And the interesting thing is that dogs weren't all that common a sight in our cities until the mid-1980's, and suddenly it seemed there had to be a dog in every living room, so this whole mania of dog-owning is a recent social phenomenon. Probably because it got too expensive to have children. And people need love, don't they? And no-one gives them unconditional love like a dog, right? Well, wrong, actually: it's hard-wired pack hierarchy behavior but it looks similarly enough like unconditional love to satisfy most dog-owners, an illusion the multi-billion-dollar pet-food industry isn't going to correct any time soon. And you know what they say: a dog is God's way of turning a horse into dogsh*t and it's gotta be dumped somewhere. Why not our parks? or streets? our wildlife areas? and leave someone else the problem of dealing with the stinky little bags of The Turd Formerly Known As A Horse? But credit where credit is due, it took ten years after the great explosion of dog-ownership in the 1980's to see most dog-owners start picking up after their pets, but it's a widespread practice now, and that's good to see.
  67. Chadwick Minh from Canada writes:
    Cloth diapers.
  68. barny p from Canada writes: Pet owners should bring the poo back and flush it down their toilets.
  69. Pepper Gee from Toronto, Canada writes: I am a cat owner - we pick up after our cats in the litterbox - it goes into the garbage bag and is taken away with the garbage each week. Cats are so much easier....
  70. Edwin Green from NS, Canada writes: my old dog just died she was smart clean she know that my yard was the place to go for 13 years she was my door bell best friend and never needed to be tied up and did not run around all over the place i miss her
  71. John Doucette from Manotick, Canada writes: Here in "greater"? Ottawa we send it the the mayor.He is our expert in poo.
  72. Raymond P from Canada writes: I pick up after my dog with my bare hand. Then I wash well. It saves the planet one dump at a time.
  73. fortunate one from Oh!MeMeMe!, Canada writes: On the Internet (at least), no one knows you're a dog.
  74. C A from Toronto, Canada writes: LOL @ people comparing dogs to children.

    some of you dog owners are seriously demented.
  75. Jen Abe from Toronto, Canada writes: Dog poo?

    I think we should be more concerned with plastic water bottles and disposable diapers. Really, as long as I am not stepping in it...it is more natural than 90% of our other garbage.

    Mind you, I guess that last point depends on what you are feeding the dog. Interesting note - dogs fed a raw diet produce less waste than those fed on commercial food - AND it degrades much faster.

    But I guess raw vs commecial food is a WHOLE other subject.
  76. mary wells from Canada writes: To Edwin Green.............Im so sorry for your loss, and thank you for loving and caring for your dog..please go to your nearest animal shelter and get yourself another faithful companion........."May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
  77. Brent Wilkins from Canada writes: Is there any way to discourage dog owners from using your lawn as a toilet. Do moth balls work?

    I live in a greek area where most of the people pave there front lawns. This makes my lawn a target for all of the neighbourhood dogs.
  78. North of the Border from Canada writes: "Most" people? What a wonderful part of the country the person writing this must live. Where I live the ones that do carry the bags mostly do so to "appear" like they scoop it up. How about instead of a tax make a huge fine for leaving it there, especially on someone else's lawn. They're too lazy to take care of their animal's business but people who own the lawns are supposed to suffer for their incompetence? I'm just waiting for someone to let their dog do it on my lawn when I can see them.
  79. Bob Duvan from Canada writes: Simply increase the fees for dog licences to the point where the number kept gets reduced. Let's say an innitial one time registration fee of $150 and an annual of $50 basic plus $10 per pound of body weight.
    A high initial fee is needed as a brake against impulse buying of 'cute' puppies. The annual part is to cover the cost of cleanup and a contribution to the cost of running the city by those who inflict the noise and general unpleasantness of their animals on neighbours.

    BTW, I am not a do hater - I have much enjoyed looking after dogs in the country where their presence is apropriate. Conversely, I detest and despise the inconsiderate yahoos who keep dogs in the city, particularly the filth that keeps them in apartments.
  80. James M from Canada writes: Who's going to enforce this fine for not picking up poop? Canada's taxes are not based on pay-as-you-go. Everyone pays for dog poo, dog catcher's and by law enforcement. Just like I pay an education levy on my taxes, yet I have no kids.
  81. Pepper Gee from Toronto, Canada writes: Raymond P -- eeeewwwwww.....
  82. Justin Payne from Richmond BC, Canada writes: The very thought of picking up a dogs nine coil steamer from someone’s lawn is loathsome and mortifying to me. Love to have a dog but until they come up with a dog that will pick up and dispose its own poop, then, no dog for me.
    But I will say I am very grateful to all you folks out there who dutifully scoop. You are very brave my friends. ; )

    Raymond P from Canada writes: I pick up after my dog with my bare hands.

    WOW!
  83. Pepper Gee from Toronto, Canada writes: Bob Duvan - what a horrible thing to say! To call people "filth" because they are giving a dog a home in their apartments. I think those people are wonderful. If the dog is well loved and well cared for how can that possibly be wrong?
  84. Lowen Wrainger from Canada writes: Hmmmm? Construction sites have them. So why not have portable pet toilets? Fido-on-the-job! (not the cellphone!)
  85. North of the Border from Canada writes: Bob Duvan : $150 initial fee to discourage buying of cute puppies and then add $10 per pound? The older the dog gets the heavier, in most cases. So by adding on an additional $10 per lb. will encourage people even more to rid the dog once it gets older or maybe discourage them from feeding it properly. An initial charge of $150 looks small in comparison to a $10 per lb. charge later on. Knock of the $10 bit and maybe increase the annual rate would be better. I'm for large initial fee for the "puppy" purpose and for some annual fee but throw out big fines to incompetent owners. Don't try and spread the charge around to the responsible ones as well. Increase fines and monitoring and let that take care of it.
  86. Kim Philby from Ottawa, Canada writes: Have to raise an eyebrow reading all those posters hollering for a "ban" on dogs - you know, those same posters who are always hollering "fascism!" and "nanny state!" in response to other stories about new laws or bans on things like lawn pesticides/herbicides (like PANIC! At the Ice Floe getting his knickers in a knot about removing junk food from school cafeterias).

    So, the message you're sending is, if it's something you don't like, ban it! If it's a law or a ban you don't like, it's fascism!
  87. vivid reader from Canada writes: My dog produces less poo in a week than a toddler does in one, uh, sitting, and it doesn't have nearly the amount of 'gift-wrapping' around it when it reaches the landfill. I'd like to see that problem solved first, it's having a bigger impact, and no doubt the dog poo disposal issue will be solved along with it.
    Responsible owners pick up after their pets. If you are not prepared to do it, don't have a dog, period.
  88. whatevah D from Canada writes: jo bob from Canada writes: N N - It is highly unlikely that the dogs are "terrorizing" your young children. If you mean a dog runs up to your kid and licks his/her face, that is not "terrorism". That is good, healthy fun! Too many children (and small dogs) are trained, by adults, to become afraid of dogs.

    Ban kids - I'm tired of them terrorizing my dogs. And, they're bigger carbon producers.

    As a mom to a 15 month old baby and a 20 pound pug I love your comment Jo Bob! I agree dogs should be kept on leash, but "terrorizing" goes both ways.

    And to the poster who says dogs should be banned from the city; my city dog gets three times the exercise that both my mother's and brother's dogs do in a small town with lots of space; he went on a 30 minute run today; he'll play with his friends this afternoon at the offleash for a couple of hours AND he'll get more exercise tonight.
  89. whatevah D from Canada writes: Bob Duvan from Canada writes: Simply increase the fees for dog licences to the point where the number kept gets reduced. Let's say an innitial one time registration fee of $150 and an annual of $50 basic plus $10 per pound of body weight.
    A high initial fee is needed as a brake against impulse buying of 'cute' puppies. The annual part is to cover the cost of cleanup and a contribution to the cost of running the city by those who inflict the noise and general unpleasantness of their animals on neighbours.

    I would like the people who's kids are drawing grafitti all over my neighbourhood to pay a fine; at least I can clean up after my dog. Those kids are polluting the neighbourhood!!!
  90. Seb D from Ottawa, Canada writes: Try to ban dangerous dogs - it's fascism.

    Try to get dog owners to obey the leashing laws - fascism.

    Try to get dog owners to scoop their poop - fascism.

    Try to get them to dispose of their poop - fascism.

    Try to get them to cover the cost their pet imposes on taxpayers - fascism.

    I guess in the perfect world, we can get attacked by dogs at any time and expect to step in poop everywhere we go, and owners will not be held responsible for any of it. Wow, sounds like paradise.
  91. Jen Abe from Toronto, Canada writes: Seb D - they didn't ban dangerous dogs, they banned a breed....which was the wrong approach to that particular issue.

    Dangerous dogs usually mean there is a dangerous (or stupid) human on the other end.

    As for bans and fines...they can't even enforce the existing leash law, how are they going to police poop?
  92. Harbinger from Out West from Prince George, Canada writes: As my dog once explained to me, "The world is my toilet".
  93. Anger Equals Danger from Canada writes: "My eyes are open, Are yours? from Canada writes: What is it about dogs or their owners, that dogs cannot poop on their own property?"

    not all of use are lucky enough to afford a home with a backyard. Some are doomed to the apartment dwelling without viable greenspace for poop.
  94. Michele K from Ottawa, Canada writes: Seb D, really, what century are you living in, because even you should be able to admit that it was many years ago that anyone in a Canadian city realistically had to worry about stepping in it 'everywhere they go'.

    You'd get a lot further with your argument against if you didn't resort to such embellishment.
  95. Michele K from Ottawa, Canada writes: And before anyone starts screaming at Anger that apartment dwellers have no right to keep dogs - hogwash - greyhounds, for example, are the ultimate couch potatoes.

    Not saying that every dog doesn't need a healthy dose of exercise each day (don't we all - dogs actually get many of us people off our couches too), but these simplistic notions that big dogs need big areas at their constant disposal are simply incorrect. It all depends on the dog - it's the Australian Shepherds and the like that don't belong in cities.
  96. Dan Thomas from Canada writes: Seb D, as I already pointed out, most municipalities do have a tax on dogs, it's called a dog licence and has to be paid annually and is enforced. As for the other issues, I rarely see dogs off leash in my neighbourhood, many owners do pick up the dog poo and where has anyone here said it's facism to ask that people be responsible?
  97. whatevah D from Canada writes: Michele K from Ottawa, Canada writes: And before anyone starts screaming at Anger that apartment dwellers have no right to keep dogs - hogwash - greyhounds, for example, are the ultimate couch potatoes.

    so are great danes!
  98. PANIC! At The Ice Floe from Canada writes: Whatevah D...Geryhounds? The dogs that can run like heck? THESE are the dogs you promote as being good for city living?? You couldn't have chosen a toy poodle or something or than a greyhound?

    Face it. Dog Ownership = Slavery. Dog Ownership in the city = Abuse and Slavery. I'm sure the slave master way back when just loved their slaves as much as you love your greyhound.
  99. PANIC! At The Ice Floe from Canada writes: Sorry Whatevah D...That was Michele who pointed out the greyhounds as an excellent apartment pet.
  100. My eyes are open, Are yours? from Canada writes: Anger = Danger; can you train your dog to go on newspaper, like you did when he was a pup? THen just pick it up and flush it?

    Is there some reason a dog must have green grass under his feet to be stimulated to 'go'? FOr the person whose dog 'won't go in my yard' - you keep the dog there until it goes. Days, if necessary. Who's in charge here anyway?

    For those arguing kids vs. dogs; I have to go with kids. Your dog will never pay into my CPP.

    For the off-leashers; my cousin was bitten in the face by a dog which was 'usually friendly, I don't know what happened.". She was 2 at the time. SHe had to have plastic surgery on her face every 2 years until she was 16, to open up the scar tissue so her face could grow. Very painful and disfiguring. If I see a dog coming towards me off-leash, or on one of those 25 meter extension-cord leashes, I avoid it. Even little dogs can jump up to adult-genital height.
  101. Pik Man from Canada writes: I walk my dog in the woods, he can poop and pee all he wants. The trees love it.