New research lifts the lid on which Aussies are more likely to pick up their dog’s poo

Hundreds of Aussies have slammed pet owners who admitted they would rather leave their dog’s poo in public rather than pick up after them. Have your say.

Aussies are kicking up a stink after pet owners admitted they would rather turn a blind eye on their pet’s business than face the embarrassment of cleaning up after their pooch.

Nearly 60 per cent of dog owners admitted if they could walk off without cleaning up after their pet they would, while women were more embarrassed than men to hold a bag of dog poo, online market research group Pureprofile found.

Hundreds of News Corp readers labelled the decision by owners not to pick up after their dog was “selfish and lazy”.

“You own the dog. Pick up its waste. I do it every day. Otherwise, do the right thing and don’t own a dog,” one reader said.

Another agreed: “Sorry but not picking up after your dog is the biggest turn off. Just lazy and self absorbed. Owning a dog comes with responsibility like a lot of things in life.”

The research also found senior Australians are the most civic-minded, with 75 per cent of those aged over 65 not worried to pick up poo every time.

But 45 per cent of dog owners born in the mid 1990s, aren’t as conscientious. The study also found 43 per cent of Gen Zers would litter their bag of poo if they didn’t find a bin within 15 minutes.

Maddie Jamieson is among the many dog owners who feel embarrassed to pick up after their pet in public. Picture Andrew Tauber

For Maddie Jamieson, 22, the not-so-glamorous task of scooping up her dog Bobby’s business has forced her to choose paths with less people around and “spare her dignity”.

Ms Jamieson, from Melbourne, said it also doesn’t surprise her that women find it more difficult than men to pick up their dog’s mess.

“I’m guilty at times of pretending I didn’t see anything, so I don’t have to pick up my dog’s poo,” Ms Jamieson said.

“Picking it up makes me gag and the idea of someone remotely attractive walking past while I’m doing it is mortifying.

“It’s gross and the thought of being portrayed as a dog poop wielding heroine is not very attractive.”

But not many people felt sympathy for the owners who found it difficult to pick up their dog’s business in public.

“Not picking is just selfish and lazy. Why should I have to step in your darlings poo. It’s even in my garden so some trespass to let their dog do its business,” one said.

Another added: “You are walking your dog in public, not on some dating site. Most good people would appreciate you picking up your dogs droppings.”

Doolacky have invented a hands free Doggy Doo Holding device that clips to your log lead. Picture Andrew Tauber

Maddie Jamieson with her dog miniature Dachshund Bobby. Picture Andrew Tauber

The shame around owners holding a bag full of dog poo is what prompted Alice Needham, 57, and Philip Chaplin, 64, to find a solution to the stinky problem.

“Let’s face it, the best way to ruin your day is to step in dog poo because some careless dog owner shirked their responsibility,” Ms Needham, who helped create the Wagalot DooLacky, said.

“And while there are plenty of bag dispensers on the market, none of them are designed to hold the bag when it’s full of poo.

Co-owner and co-inventor of DooLacky Philip Chaplin with his dog Cliff. Picture Andrew Tauber

“Not much bigger than a key ring, it simply clips to your dog lead allowing you to securely carry up to 27kg of doggie doo from your leash hands free.”

The research also found Melbourne’s councils are the worst offenders when it comes to dog poo bins, with only 36 per cent of Melburnians saying they have enough dog poo bins, compared to Sydneysiders (49 per cent) and Queenslanders (47 per cent).

Originally published as New research lifts the lid on which Aussies are more likely to pick up their dog’s poo