Kara Jung: Time to fine pet owners who don’t carry doggy poo bags?
MOST dog owners do the right thing. But for those who don’t, isn’t it time they get fined when caught without the means to pick up after their pet, asks Kara Jung.
MY local park is a haven for dog walkers, and largely they follow the number one rule of dog ownership (after feeding, loving and grooming your pooch, of course): never leave the house without poo bags.
But for those that don’t, isn’t it time they got more than a glare from fellow park users?
In the UK several councils have introduced on-the-spot fines — not only for not picking up after your pooch — but for being caught without a bag to do so.
Yep, don’t have a poop scoop or doggie defecation bag? You get fined.
Under new reforms to the Dog and Cat Management Act that came into force on July 1, failing to pick up dog poo now attracts a hefty $210 fine — up from $55.
But check with your council and I’d bet the actual issuing of fines is not commonplace.
For example, in Adelaide’s biggest metro council, Onkaparinga, just three dog owners have been fined for failing to pick up after their pet during the past three years.
And the chances of a council inspector being about at the same time a negligent owner’s pooch does a poop? Well, those chances are slim.
But it becomes a much easier proposition when council inspectors can fine lazy owners for not having the means to pick up after their pet.
Doggie-doo has become a widespread nuisance in parks and beaches and poses a serious health risk, particularly to young children.
Not long ago, having stepped out of the car, juggling baby, nappy bag, snacks and a rusted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles scooter with two kids in tow, I was looking forward to an afternoon in the park.
And then I stepped in dog poo. The words “Oh, poo,” or words to that effect, were muttered.
I won’t go into too much detail but it was a big enough pile of doggie dung that it wasn’t just a matter of wiping it from the sole of my shoe and moving on with the day.
What kind of person thinks it’s OK to leave a pile of their pooch’s poop in a high traffic walking area?
Until we can easily fine those who give all other dog owners a bad rap, well, that’s just crap.
What do you think? Should we get tougher on fining pet owners who don’t carry bags to pick after their pets? Leave your comment below