Doggy Etiquette

Among the many good things the MPCA does to help with the upkeep of Memorial Park is to supply bags for the public to use for picking up dog droppings. There are two dispensers on Wesley Drive, one in front of the playground and one near Riada Drive. They are well-stocked by the Park Committee. The Civic Association in the past also lobbied with the City of Atlanta to place more trash receptacles at intervals in and around the park for the convenience of dog walkers to deposit these bags. The City has also put up signs warning people to pick up after their pets. Dog poop is not only annoying to step in, but it can spread parasites among animals. It smells terrible and is hard to clean from shoes and carpets.

Of course, I'm sure that everyone who lives here is courteous, thoughtful and law-abiding. So I'm not talking to anyone in particular. But one Memorial Park resident and dog owner tells me she has made it her practice deal with dog walkers she meets who are not so meticulous. She hands them a poop bag and reminds them of their civic duty.

She says, "I was uncomfortable the first few times I approached a dog owner and handed them a bag, but then I realized this is MY neighborhood and I have a right to demand that others respect it."

The law is the law. Dog owners must scoop the poop. Dogs must also be leashed on public property or under voice control. Etiquette is another matter. Handing someone a bag and nicely asking them to pick up is better than calling the cops. It's more effective than a dirty look or making a big show of kicking leaves over the offensive mess. It's particularly important to scoop when the poop is right on the walking trail, on someone's lawn, or near the playground.

There are many points of etiquette, not only between dog owners and non-owners, but and between dog owner and dog owner. And there are the dog/child meetings. Some kids run right up to every dog they see. Some dogs love kids and some are very nervous around them. Some parents are very nervous about any contact between their child and any dog, no matter how calm the dog. A responsible dog owner should always check with the parent before allowing their dog to contact a child. (Please don't let your dog run onto the playground unleashed.)

Posting on this subject is probably opening a can of worms (pardon the pun). I'll stop now and leave it up to the rest of you. Post comments as you see fit.