Dear Dog Walkers:
As a fellow dog owner and dog walker I understand and feel the occasional disrespect many of us receive when we approach non-dog owners. This is especially true when we bring our dogs (pets) to events such as baseball or soccer games. It appears many think we don’t clean up after our dogs and leave a mess for others to pick up or worse yet, our kids playing their chosen sport fall into a pile left by someone’s dog.
I know my wife and I always carry a bag whenever we take our dog Bowie for a walk regardless of where. We have even picked up after other owners that I’m sure were not aware that their pet had left a mess. Other dog walkers we know have even reminded fellow dog owners of their responsibility to clean up after their pets and most times the reminder is received in a positive fashion.
Unfortunately, I often receive complaints that dog owners are not cleaning up after their dogs especially at the various parks the city provides for organized recreation. Their irritation and their loss of patience are understandable especially when their child or even a parent happens to step into a mess that an owner’s dog has left behind. Even as a dog owner I too am irritated when I happen to step into a mess left by a dog, or even a horse, whose owner has ignored a simple act of courtesy and respect for others.
I have been requested to forbid dogs at the parks and have our Sheriff’s Department strictly enforce the city ordinances against those owners that refuse to clean up after their pets. I am hesitant to do this because I believe that dog owners can “police” themselves and remind their fellow dog owners of their responsibilities as well.
That being said, I also have a responsibility to keep our parks clean for everyone to use and enjoy. So I urge my fellow dog walkers to please remind those that forget to clean up after their pet that all of us must be proactive and courteous to our neighbors. Let’s by our actions create an amicable environment where dog lovers and non-dog lovers can coexist in peace. Carry a bag and create friends!