By Samantha Liebman, New York City Published 6:00 AM ET, May 6, 2024
At the dog run in Madison Square Park, dog owners appreciate the close-knit community where everyone diligently cleans up after their pets, facilitated by the numerous bag dispensers available. Inspired by this success, Councilwoman Julie Menin has introduced a bill to the City Council proposing the installation of dog waste bag dispensers on all city streets, attached to garbage cans. Dog owners are in favor of the initiative, as it would make the city cleaner and more convenient.
Key Points:
- A City Council bill aims to install dog waste bag dispensers on city garbage cans.
- In 2023, there were over 2,300 complaints about dog waste left on streets.
- Only 18 tickets were issued in 2022, as offenders must be caught in the act.
“If it helps people, then yeah,” said dog owner Lizzie Hindert. “I’ve been in situations where I didn’t have a bag and had to wait for another dog owner to help.”
“In the streets, it’s gross,” remarked Constance Brahimi, who has two dogs. “I’ve probably stepped in poop before.”
During a City Council hearing on Wednesday, Upper East Side resident Danielle Avissar expressed her frustration, noting that the issue has worsened since COVID-19.
“It really degrades our neighborhoods. We’re constantly looking down,” Avissar said. “We can’t look up, we can’t appreciate the beauty around us.”
The city’s Department of Sanitation reported that in the previous year, there were more than 2,300 complaints about dog waste, but only 18 tickets were issued due to the need for direct observation of the offense.
“It’s a crime that has to be observed in the act for a ticket to be written,” explained Deputy Sanitation Commissioner Joshua Goodman. “We can issue a notice for improper trash setout, but we can’t ticket for dog waste unless we see it happen.”
The fine for not cleaning up after a dog can reach up to $250. While Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch supports the bill, she suggested that bag dispensers be attached to signs or lampposts instead of trash bins, which are frequently moved for emptying, street fairs, and other events.