The City of New Westminster wants dog owners to do their “doo diligence” and clean up their pets’ poop.
The city’s animal services division has deemed May to be Dog Waste Awareness Month, and will be sharing reminders on the city’s social media channels about how to be a responsible dog owner.
“The majority of dog owners are very responsible and do an amazing job,” said Dylan Myers, the city’s superintendent of parking, towing and animal services. “But, unfortunately – as anyone who has stepped in dog doo can attest – all it takes is one.”
Myers said the downtown and Quayside neighbourhoods generally generating the most complaints about doggy doo, but it’s an issue that occurs city wide. As staffing and workload allows, animal service officers will also be out and about rewarding people who are doing their doo diligence.
“We are just congratulating people and thanking them for doing the right thing,” he said. “We are just reminding people to be respectful of everyone.”
On April 1, the New Westminster Police Department stopped motorists in a local school zone and rewarded them for almost obeying the speed limit. Animal control officers will be taking similar action this month.
“We do try, for the most part, to praise good behaviour, whether it’s giving out gift cards – kind of what the police did there with school zones, or doggy waste bags or animal services paraphernalia,” Myers said.
Because responsible pet ownership is about more than cleaning up their dog’s waste, Myers said the initiative could be called Dog Diligence Month, as the city will be promoting actions such as keeping dogs on leashes. He said the city has had issues with off-leash dogs being allowed to dig in the city’s sports fields.
“Once you start affecting recreational user groups, then it becomes a problem for everyone,” he said.
While it can be a nuisance for folks to step in doggy doo that’s been left on fields or sidewalks, Myers said dogs digging holes in playing fields can actually create safety issues for community members who are playing on baseball diamonds and sports fields.
“It’s just a reminder to use the off-leash dog areas and designated dog zones and that your dog should be on leashes at all times. By allowing your dog to dig or not picking up after your dog, it merely hinders the playing fields and the sports user groups that use those fields,” he said. “It does create numerous challenges by either letting your dog roam the fields and digging or not having your dog on a leash.”
Residents can tag the City of New of Westminster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and use the hashtag #doodiligence to show the city how you’re being a responsible dog owner.
“Do your doo diligence and know that it’s not just your dog, it’s everyone’s dogs as well as everyone’s public spaces,” Myers said. “That’s where we are having the challenges. It’s just respecting your neighbours, respecting your community and just picking up after your dog and being a responsible pet owner.”
Follow Theresa McManus on Twitter @TheresaMcManus
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