Tallulah's Law: Pick up after your pet.
I would like to dedicate this week’s CID blog post to my late pug Tallulah. Last Thursday, I had to say my final goodbye to her, but I feel good knowing she was well-loved and cared for. My “little princess” is sorely missed, but she will never be forgotten.
In fact, Tallulah inspired me to write a post about the lessons she taught me about proper and healthy pet care.
Tu lived with me in my second-floor apartment in the Northland and it wasn’t uncommon for us to go for walks at least three times a day. I had…correction, I was given the honor to carry her up and down the steps for our strolls due to her stiff joints and near-total blindness, but I think she relished the royal treatment.
Whether you live in a house in the surrounding suburbs or an apartment or loft Downtown, pets are a delightful joy. And they are a great responsibility, both in the care and health of your companion, but also to your neighbors and neighborhood. Being a responsible dog owner is a lot more than filling the food and water bowls or a scratch behind the ears. It also means leaving public spaces clean of dog waste so everyone can enjoy our parks and green spaces.
On my walks with Tallulah, I always remembered to put a couple of dog waste bags in my pocket. After she did her “business,” I would pick it up so nobody would accidentally step in it and then dispose of it properly. Not all dog owners in my complex share in this important job, and I was always concerned with what diseases lurked in those little “land mines” that she always tried to sniff. I know. Gross, right?
The Downtown population is growing rapidly, and with that is the number of dogs in the area. And Downtown dog owners know that there is a minimum of green spaces for their dogs to use. But these public areas can, and should, be available for more than a bathroom for dogs. Kids need places to run and wrestle and families should be able to spread out a blanket for a picnic without the smell or sight of…poop. OK, I said it.
As Director for the CIDs, I often get complaints from residents and property owners about the amount of dog waste left on the sidewalks, trails, in parks, and in tree wells and landscaping beds. The messes are a smelly, unhealthy nuisance that someone other than the dog owner often has to remove. Sadly, this unfortunate job usually falls on the CID Ambassadors just so they can maintain the lawns and landscape beds safely. While I have noticed that many people are responsible and pick up after their own dogs, I encourage all dog owners to make sure that all pet waste is properly managed for the good health and benefit of everyone.
Why is pet waste a problem?
- Untreated fecal matter can be a source of harmful bacteria and nutrients.
- Pet waste carries disease causing organisms such as E. coli, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Salmonella.
- Leaving pet waste on the ground, especially in public areas like roadways, sidewalks, parks, turf areas and landscape beds, may pose a disease risk to children, adults, and especially other pets.
- Rain or water runoff may carry the waste to other areas.
Let’s work together to keep dog waste out of our storm drains, neighborhoods, and recreational areas.
Do your part: scoop the poop!
Scooping your pooch’s poop isn’t just a courtesy for those walking behind you; it’s the healthy and environmentally sound thing to do. People may not pick up after their dog because they think it’s gross or they’re not sure how to dispose of the waste. Picking up after your dog is easy and it’s the law!* The CIDs have installed Dogi-Pot pet stations in various locations Downtown and in the River Market for your convenience too. Next time you see one, be sure to grab a few extra bags for next time.
Reasons for picking up pet waste:
- It’s the law: City of Kansas City, Missouri Ordinance #65201, Section 14.19
- Environmental reasons
- Hygiene/health reasons
- Neighborhood courtesy
- It’s the right thing to do
- Keeps our Downtown clean for visitors, employees and your neighbors
Here are some easy steps for dealing with your pet’s waste:
1. Always carry a plastic bag when you walk your dog. Dogi-Pot pet stations are strategically located in areas throughout Downtown and the River Market for your convenience. Reusing an old newspaper delivery bag or plastic grocery bag works well too. To avoid unpleasant surprises, check the bag for holes before your pet’s walk!
2. Use the bag as a glove to pick up the pet waste. Place your hand inside the bag; scoop it up, turn the bag inside out and seal the bag. Dispose the bag in trash can.
3. Please don’t place bagged or unbagged pet waste in a storm drain or move pet waste towards the street.
4. Don’t compost pet waste. Compost piles may not get hot enough to kill disease causing organisms.
5. Remove waste from areas where children play or people garden or landscape.
6. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water after dealing with pet waste!
Tallulah taught me a lot of lessons over the course of her life. Being a good neighbor was definitely one of the enduring ones.
