Park users kick up a stink over dog poo fouling Patterson Lakes walking trails
A keen walker says dog poo is fouling his regular riverside route in Carrum, counting 36 stinking piles on his most recent 2km stroll. And he’s not the only one complaining.
Leader
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AN angry trail walker is calling for action after he counted 36 dog-poo piles during a two kilometre walk along Dandenong Creek Trail.
The Kingston resident, who didn’t want to be named, said his regular walk on the southern bank of Patterson River from Inner Harbour Drive to Nepean Highway at Carrum was now wrecked because he constantly had to avoid stepping in poo.
He said McLeod Rd from Nepean Highway to Gladesville Bvld, and Gladesville Bvld from Wells Rd to McLeod Rd, were also notorious.
Kingston Council agreed to send in reinforcements after the park user’s code brown alert, with extra rangers patrolling the trail in a bid to make dog owners clean up after their pets.
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Planning and Development General Manager Jonathan Guttmann said it was frustrating.
“While most dog owners do the right thing and carry a bag with them to pick up after their pets, it’s disappointing that some owners are so inconsiderate to their neighbours,” Mr Guttmann said.
A shout out to the Leader readers on social media showed the problem was widespread, with residents in Bonbeach, Chelsea, Edithvale, Parkdale and Seaford reporting their own code browns.
“Our streets in Chelsea are disgusting — I won’t let my kids walk on the grass as there is always dog poo everywhere,” Louise Aaron Nicholson posted.
“I have a dog myself and I do not understand why dog owners don’t pick it up?”
Many people complained about dog poo on Kingston’s beaches and questioned plans to make an Edithvale beach a permanent off-lead location.
“Think of what will happen to the beach if they allow 24/7/365 off leash? Dumbest idea ever,” Jay McGrath posted.
Others suggested the recent single use plastic bag ban by supermakerts had led to an increase in dog poo.
“Seems like pet owners don’t want to buy poo bags” Roslyn Van Greunen said.
In Kingston dog owners are required to carry a bag and spares at all times.
An excuse of having already used the bag is not acceptable.
Kingston provides free biodegradable bags at Customer Service centres and libraries, as well as a complimentary pouch bag to carry them in when registering a dog for the first time.
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