Dog poo dodgers complain about amount of faeces in parks and streets

WALKERS across Brisbane have complained their streets and parks are littered with dog poo. So it might surprise you how many owners have been slapped with fines for failing to pick up after their pet.

A Ferny Grove mum unwittingy picked up this deposit yesterday.

A RISE in the number of people walking their dogs has led to a foul by-product that has residents fuming.

An increasing number of residents have taken to social media to complain about a jump in the number of people failing to pick up their dog’s poo in suburbs from Samford to Springfield.

Ferny Grove Krissy Renwick pleaded with people to start picking up after their pets after unknowingly collecting a filthy deposit yesterday.

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“Lately on my morning walks with the double pram, I’m seeing an increased amount of dog poo,” she said.

“I can only assume it’s from the isolation rules, people are walking more with their dog. However, please please PLEASE pick up your dogs droppings.”

Ms Renwick said she had mopped her floors yesterday before unwittingly spoiling her efforts.

“I didn’t realise the pram wheel went through poo until it was all through my floor. This sleep-deprived mama is pretty annoyed!”

In Springfield, dog owner Michelle van Wezel said she’d seen at least a 150 per cent increase in the amount of dog poo spotted on her daily walks with her dog.

File picture John Grainger

“And they’re alien sized turds. Like, not even little fluffy ones. They’re alien-sized piles of ginormous... what the hell are you feeding your dog?” she said.

“I’ve lived here for seven years and I walk my dog every day. We’ve got a walking track outside that runs the length of our house, and I have never seen this many people walking.”

Ms van Wezel also took exception to the behaviour of someone who she hadn’t managed to catch in the act - yet.

“My one bugbear is the person who picks up the poo in the bag - great job mate, fan-bloody-tastic - but then goes and tosses it off the path,” she said.

“If I saw them, I swear to God, I’d tear them a new one.”

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Ms van Wezel said the amount of dog poo she’d seen was even more alarming given the recent spike in parvovirus cases reported by local vets.

“There’s a patch that’s literally covered in dog sh*t. I go and pick up the rubbish but I won’t pick up the dog sh*t,” she said.

Another Springfield dog owner - who didn’t want to be named - said she’d received a frosty response after offering another pet owner a poo bag.

“I’ve seen someone’s dog go poo and they didn’t pick it up so I offered a bag and was told to F off, and yes I agree so much dog poo dodging going on.”

Over the last two months, Brisbane City Council has received 23 complaints about dogs defecating in public.

They issued one $266 fine to someone for failing to pick up and dispose of faeces in a sanitary manner, and one $66 fine for failing to carry a bag, implement or container to pick up and dispose of animal’s faeces.

A council spokesman reminded people to clean up after their pets.

“Anyone out walking their dog should be carrying a bag or something suitable to pick up and dispose of their animal’s waste, and if they don’t, they risk receiving a fine,” he said.

“Council also provides more than 450 dog poo bag dispensers across Brisbane which are regularly restocked to ensure residents have no excuse for leaving behind their dog’s waste.”

Ipswich City Council said dog owners also face a $266 fine for failing to clean up after their dogs.

“Council has not issued any fines in the past two months. There has not been any noticeable increase in complaints relating to this matter,” a spokesman said.

Council has also developed an education campaign that encourages dog owners in the city to ‘Leash, Tag and Carry Bag’.

“No-one likes walking in dog poo. Use a carry bag and clean up after your dog to keep our city clean.”