Syracuse.com - Column about cleaning up after your dog on outdoor trails draws readers comments

[HuntingNY-News]

"Any who are upset by the (column) are precisely the ones that need the message," said one reader.

My column this past Sunday about picking up your dog's poops (or at least getting them off to the side) on outdoor trails continues to draw comments.

The following is a sampling of emails I've received and Facebook postings since the column ran.

The following comments were emailed to me:

"Thank you for the much needed piece on being a responsible dog owner. Any who are upset by the article are precisely the ones that need the message. As a dog owner, I feel a responsibility to my 8-year old Golden Retriever to try to provide him with some exercise every day. Since we live in a development this most often means a walk on suburban streets on a leash. I always carry a bag with me and pick up after him, but I am amazed at how many dog owners just leave the droppings where they fall. With the recent snow melt, the number of owners that must think that dog waste dissolves in the snow is truly alarming.

"I am always looking for places where a person can let a dog run off the leash, but due to the irresponsible dog owners, they seem harder to find all the time. Thanks for a well written and timely article."

Dave Fitch

Clay

"It was interesting to see your article about people not picking up after their dogs. I had taken our Labrador retriever to the conservation area on Saturday after going to the transfer station and couldn’t believe the mess. We walk him there all the time and have never seen it so bad.

"I guess we are lucky; labs like their privacy so he usually does his business off the trails and in the woods, but I always bring a plastic bag to clean up after him if necessary. I was thinking of posting another sign at the entrance, but unfortunately, the irresponsible pet owners will just ignore it. Not to be prejudice, but it “appears” the biggest offenders are people with small dogs!

"Keep up the good work; your variation in types of articles is refreshing. I am an avid hunter, but it is great to read non-hunting/fishing articles on a regular basis."

Charlie Wallace

"I was about to send a letter to the paper after taking a walk at Onondaga Lake Park today. I saw your letter first. Thanks for writing on behalf of those of us that think the dog debris has gotten out of hand. In the first mile of our walk we spotted a dozen plastic bags of dog deposits along with many other piles of poop along the walking path. There was actually a bag hanging in a tree!

"Please feel free to share my disgust. I imagine you will hear from many more residents who wish all dog owners would clean up after their pet(s). "

Karen Witter

"I just needed to add my two cents. i own two labs that i walk religiously through my Eastwood neighborhood. never do i leave the house without a supply of bags to clean up after my girls. now that the snow has melted the sidewalks are virtual landmines of dog waste. just disgusting. if you are going to own a dog then you MUST be a responsible dog owner. those that are not give us that are a very bad name that is hard to ger rid of as we all get lumped into the category of the lazy. i for one am sick and tired of it. i don't let my labs waste accumulate in my yard let alone leave it where it definitely does not belong."

Mark Orr

The following comments were on Facebook, and my outdoors page on Facebook PS Outdoors:

"Ugh. We noticed this on the Green Lakes trails yesterday, too. The snow melted to reveal huge gross messes."

-- Michelle Breidenbach

I own two dogs and I think it's only fair to pick it up in public places and on public trails. It only takes a minute. This is par for the course in Colorado, but they also provide dog poo bags at almost every park.

- Sue Bookhout

"In Seattle you would be chased down by a mob if people observed you not cleaning up after your dog. I always bring a bag when I run with my roommate's dog and oddly enough I get this weird sense of pride picking up for her. I will admit, I almost look forward to it....I think because it wasn't necessarily carried out in CNY and now I am finally pressured to fulfill my civic doodie!

- Katie Figura (Editor's note: Katie is my daughter)

We have a small dog, and that means small "treats" and we NEVER leave the house without 2-3 pick up baggies. Why would I ever think I am a responsible dog owner and not pick up behind her? That is just common sense....or so I thought!

- Denise Comeaux

This happens on the road on school property where I run, too. Right in the middle of the road! Come on people!

- Amber Smith

Just be sure you're looking at dog poop. Canada geese spread an amazing amount of big droppings near open water, especially where there's some grass available. They wouldn't be in the woods, though.

- Peter Zicari

WHAT DO OTHERS THINK ABOUT THIS?

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog