Poopy Pet Owners

by Heather
(Westminster, Colorado, USA)

Probably the greatest pet peeve I have these days is dog owners who don't pick up after their pets. You cannot walk anywhere around my apartment complex or neighborhood without seeing pile after pile of dog poop. It's like having to navigate a minefield multiple times every day. It is on the sidewalks and all throughout the grass, on the trails, and in the parks where children play.

As a dog owner myself, I have to walk through the grass many times a day to let my dog potty. I also walk the sidewalks, trails, and parks in our area to exercise her. I can't even enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of Colorado that surrounds me because I am constantly watching my feet and those of my dog to try to avoid stepping in dog poo.

Some areas are so covered in dog poop that, despite my best efforts, inevitably, at least a few times a week, I or my dog end up stepping in a pile. Then I have the joyous task of trying to clean it out of my shoes, or even worse, my dog's paws. I certainly don't want her licking her paws to clean them, as dog feces can carry disease, germs, and bacteria. It's disgusting either way, but especially when you have a dog whose immune system is compromised already, it is even more dangerous.

This is the case everywhere you go these days, not just in my neighborhood or Colorado. It is the result of sheer laziness and irresponsibility on the part of pet owners. It's a health hazard, not to mention the fact that it litters the landscape and mars its beauty.

And would you really want your kids rolling around in grass that's full of poop? I wouldn't.

I wish people would just grow up and start showing some common courtesy to the population around them. If you're a pet owner it goes with the territory, and it is YOUR responsibility.

Dogs aren't just cute accessories and companions; they have bodily functions and can't clean up after themselves. So it is the responsibility of the owners. Unfortunately, there are not many of us around who do take responsibility for cleaning up after our pets. It's not that difficult to carry a bag with you, and it doesn't take more than a few seconds to pick the poo up. I wish people would care more for others and the environment around them.