Dogs can be a sore spot among neighbors. Even apart from barking, leash and fencing issues, there are tensions evident from the signage one observes walking about North Loop (other than the comical signage featured in this month’s photo). Some neighbors really do not appreciate dogs in their right-of-way and, beyond expecting the required “scoop the poop,” ask for dog walkers to be “courteous” or “respectful” by not allowing their dogs to eliminate there at all. Dog owners, for their part, may need to exercise their animals beyond what their small yards or shared apartment dog parks allow, and do not see the natural biological functions of their animals as somehow disrespectful. Then there are the trash can use/smell complaints that surface on social media, with some desperate neighbors going to the length of physically marking their trash cans with requests for dog walkers to not deposit waste in their private bin.
Regardless of our subjective opinions and experiences, it is an objective reality that our domestic animals have a significant impact on the environment and, specifically, our shared waterways. As pointed out by Austin Watershed Protection, we have “more than 250,000 dogs in Austin—that’s about 150,000 pounds of waste every day.” When dog waste washes into creeks, including via storm drains, it can result in algae growth that deprives fish of oxygen and can make water areas unsafe for recreational use due to bacteria and parasites that can pose a health risk to humans and animals. https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/scoop-poop On a cute note, the city has a “Bark Rangers” program in which we and our pups can model responsible park use together: https://www.austintexas.gov/parks/programs/bark-rangers
Finally, something must be said about the peculiar phenomenon of people going to the trouble of bagging their dog’s waste but then leaving the bag behind (sometimes attracting an entire collection). Please do not be that guy. That is just compounding the waste problem. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/please-take-your-dog-poop-bag-with-you-thanks/ Whether you are on the trail or on our neighborhood streets, dog waste bags need to be properly ported and disposed of even if it is inconvenient and unpleasant.
