When Dog Walkers Don't Bag Poop, What Should You Do? [Block Talk]

Aug 08, 2023

ACROSS AMERICA — As promised, here’s Part 2 over the running debate about what to do about people who fail at responsibly dealing with the doo their dogs drop on neighbors’ lawns.

In our last installment of Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column, readers vented about people who put dog poop in their neighbors’ trash cans. Not cool, many said, but oh, well. Their bigger concern is with the “squat and go” crowd — the people who go merrily along their walk, blissfully unconcerned about the stinking pile left behind in an unsuspecting person’s yard.

Gauging from the more than 200 responses to our informal survey, bagging dog poop and toting it home is the standard for dog walking etiquette in neighborhoods across the country.

People who do otherwise are lost in oblivion and don’t grasp, “this is common courtesy,” said Patch reader Lorranne.

Her problem goes beyond stinky surprises.

“They may not be aware that if their dog is sick (maybe had the beginning of Parvo) that the feces of the sick dog can/might infect other dogs,” she explained.

“This is an issue,” said Brick (New Jersey) Patch reader Kathy. “It’s disrespectful to allow your dog to urinate or poop on a neighbor’s property, regardless of whether they have a pet or not.”

But is it worth getting worked up over?

Nope. That’s according to Patch reader Ness, who advised, “Relax and stop getting your panties in a bunch.”

Several readers agreed that of all the things they have to worry about, a pile of poop in the yard barely registers a blip.

“Realize life will go on,” an Orland Park (Illinois) Patch reader said. “There are worse problems in the world.”

“It’s not the end of the world and rarely causes lawn issues,” said Patch reader Connor.

Lemont (Illinois) Patch reader Thomas said it’s OK to politely ask the dog owner to either pick up after the pooch or find a new walking route, but beyond that, he it’s not a big deal.

“Otherwise, just pick it up yourself rather than make a whole big thing about it,” Thomas said. “In the end, someone will need to pick it up, whether it’s to cut the grass or because it’s just gross or whatever. … Just worry about yourself and more important things.

“Dog (expletive) is dog (expletive), and it’s the least of my concerns in today’s world.”

Just give the dog walker a bag and move on with your life, several readers said. Be nice about it, and give them the benefit of the doubt, Walnut Creek (California) Patch reader Kim advised.

“Hand them a bag and say, ‘I hate when I forget the bags, too,’ ” she said.

Patch reader Therese is all for that. “If you see them, I’d take a bag out to them and say, ‘Obviously you forgot your bag. Here ya go!’ ”

And so is Eileen, who reads the Beverly-Mt. Greenwood Patch, Oak Lawn Patch and Evergreen Park Patch, all in Illinois.

“Maybe they forgot their bags,” she said. “Offer up one of the 200 Jewel bags you have,” she said, referencing the popular grocery chain.

“What I should do and what I want to do are two different things,” said Milford (Massachusetts) Patch reader Michael. “I want to take the poo and throw it at the owner, but what I would do is speak to them and have them pick up and dispose of the poo properly.”

Not everyone appears ready to exercise such restraint.

Dolores, a Middletown (New Jersey) Patch reader, said she would “ask them kindly not to do that,” but if that didn’t work, she would “return the pile to them where they would be sure to see it when they step out the front door.”

“Follow them and leave it at the door,” said Long Branch-Eatontown (New Jersey) Patch reader William.

“Bring it over to their residence,” said Marty, a Wakefield (Massachusetts) Patch reader.

“Bag it and throw it in their driveway,” said Tolland (Connecticut) Patch reader Jess.

“Return the waste to the dog owner's windshield,” said a Parsippany (New Jersey) Patch reader who goes by “Sandwich.”

We’re confident Sandwich and the others are just going off steam. But if they actually are hatching a revenge poop scheme, they should let it play out as a cartoon in their heads and not act on it, a couple of readers warned.

“Don’t do anything,” said Across America Patch reader Bob. “People are nuts these days.”

Several readers said it’s OK to draw a line and let dog walkers know the calling cards aren’t appreciated.

Temecula (California) Patch reader Ali would “tell them to get control of their pet or don’t walk it past my house.”

“Call them out,” said Across America Patch reader Stephanie. “They do it because there’s no accountability.”

“Give them the stink eye,” an Evanston (Illinois) Patch reader who goes by “Superoverit” said, adding, “No pun intended, but embraced.”

That’ll work, several readers said.

Highland Park (Illinois) Patch reader Jenna said that if she sees it happening, she’ll “make uncomfortable eye contact” with the person in hopes they’ll pick up the clue — and the stink bomb.

“Stare at them intently and use body language to help them get the hint,” said a Joliet (Illinois) Patch reader.

“Give them a mean look,” said Beverly-Mt. Greenwood Patch reader Marcia.

“Turn your sprinkler on when they get near it,” said Doug, a Middletown (New Jersey) Patch reader. A couple of other readers suggested that, too.

“Be annoying,” said Wendy, who reads Doylestown Patch and Warminster Patch in Pennsylvania.

Some readers suggested verbally flogging the offenders in a public forum — although, we’d be reticent if we didn’t point out that the internet is forever and unintended consequences should be thoroughly explored before posting.

“What are the kids calling it? Name and shame?” Superoverit, chimed in, posing, we think, rhetorical questions. “Post videos online of them disrespecting the neighborhood and breaking the law and hope that it will deter them from their terrible behaviors? Let these videos allow the city to fine them?”

Pete, who reads Abingdon Patch and Lower Gwynedd-Ambler-Whitpain Patch in Pennsylvania, added a twist: “Have a talk with them, and get their address, so you can let people know they think letting a dog go in their property is OK.”

“Tar and feather?” said an Evanston Patch reader whose “B.A. Goodhuman” handle says it all. “No one should have to scold or discuss this with dog owners — even if they happen to catch them in the act, which rarely ever happens.”

B.A. Goodhuman was just getting started.

“If dog owners can’t take care of their dogs, they shouldn’t have any,” the reader said. “This includes cleaning up after them and stopping them from using the world as their toilet. There are so many diseases and environmental damage/issues this public defection and urination causes. Revolting. Owners/walkers should be ashamed, truly.”

“Catch them on Ring camera and expose them on social media,” said Lower Moreland (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Mari.

“Try to get camera footage and publicly shame them,” said Deb, who reads Plainfield Patch and Naperville Patch, both in Illinois. “More than rude, it’s unsanitary and unhealthy for other creatures and dogs.”

Deb thinks people who don’t clean up after their dogs should be reported, prosecuted and fined, but Kat a Cranston (Rhode Island) Patch reader, is more chill. “Mind your own business,” she said. “You can’t police the world.”

If it’s a problem, say so — in person or even on signs, some readers suggested.

Rochester-Rochester Hills (Michigan) Patch reader LinKay said she offers people plastic bags for cleanup if they don’t have them, but “also made a sign for my flower beds that reads, ‘No pee, please,’ ” she said, adding, “I don’t care if dogs pee on the lawn, but not on my flowers.”

“Put up a sign that says, ‘I don’t poop on your lawn; please don’t leave yours on mine,’ ” said Upper Southampton (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Shayna.

Others prefer to be on the sidelines of neighborhood dog doo donnybrooks.

“Smile and wave,” said Woodbridge (New Jersey) Patch reader Tara.

“Clean it up if it bothers you,” said a Wakefield (Massachusetts) Patch reader. “If not, wait for the rain.”

“If it’s once or twice, I’d clean it up,” said Sandy, who reads Lacey Patch Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch in New Jersey. “If it’s the same person over and over again, I would confront them and post a sign.”

“Tell them you don't appreciate it,” Across America Patch reader Tricia said. “Everyone doesn't love your dog!”

“I have gone to the mat with people who let the dogs crap in my front yard,” said Patch reader Kris. “ They tell me to go F myself, and they will not clean it up.”

The solution: “I have planted a giant garden in my front yard, so they have to walk on the street,” Kris said.

“I have signs up and a Ring camera to indicate they are on camera,” said Howell (New Jersey) Patch reader Lindy, who noted she hasn’t had any issues since planting the signs.

Across America Patch reader Terri, who has found dog poop on her lawn on “numerous occasions,” also has it all figured out, too.

“If I know who the offender is I confront them in a nice way and ask them to clean up the poop. If the behavior continues, the poop gets shoveled into their yard after I remove it from mine. If I don't know the offender I wait until I see people walking their dogs near my property, then ask if they have seen anyone allowing dogs to poop in my yard and I ask them to say something if they see anything — which politely tells them that it’s not OK without making any accusations.”

Across America Patch reader Kyle may not have it all figured out, but he’s working on it.

What about, he whimsically wonders, “trap doors on the edge of the lawn”?

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email [email protected], with Block Talk as the subject line.

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