Police on The Lookout for Dog Walkers Without Bags

Manchester resident Robert Lopez has a well maintained yard. American flags adorn the mailbox, and yellow and purple flowers surround the house along with other seasonal plants. Lopez admits he has a little problem with weeds and clover, but what really gets in the way of his garden is dog feces.

A couple weeks ago, Lopez complained to the Manchester Board of Aldermen. He said if the board didn't do something about it, he would. In a period of about two weeks he noticed more than 14 dog-waste droppings in his yard, or two per day, he said.

"I've had 14 different droppings," Lopez told Town and Country-Manchester Patch. "I just got tired of them, and I just wanted the police to try and do something."

According to a Manchester city ordinance, "All fecal accumulations...shall be removed and disposed...to prevent the breeding of flies and creation of offensive, disagreeable, or noxious odors or other nuisance conditions." The ordinance also orders people who have an animal to keep with them a "device or container designed for the removal of fecal matter."

Lopez said he generally ignored the situation, but after having so many dogs use his yard as a litter box, he just wants his local government and police to enforce the ordinance.  

"They probably have a lot more they could be doing than enforcing this ordinance, but in the same picture, it is an ordinance and I am not sure who, other than the police, will enforce it," Lopez said.

A police detective visited Lopez last week about his problem. Lopez said he was told police were going to be on the lookout for people walking dogs without bags.

Alderman Michael Clement lives across the street from Lopez. Clement said he talked to Lopez about solutions to his problem, however, Clement does not have the same issue in his yard.

"I see lots of people walking their dogs, and I used to have a dog, too," Clement said. "I don't think I can recall very many people walking without a bag."

Clement said he thinks it is appropriate for the police to pay special attention to that area, especially because Lopez's yard is on a corner and sits on two different streets.

"I don't blame him for being upset," Clement said. "Fourteen instances on a two to three-week period—that is awful."

Police  Chief Tim Walsh said police have been informed of the situation and will be on the lookout for people not carrying bags.

Walsh said there is not a specific fine for not cleaning up after a pet, but that would be up to the judge if there is a violation. He points out that officers are not going to be ticketing residents, but raising awareness of the issue.

"What we are after is compliance," Walsh said. "We want people to have bags with them to pick up the dog's waste and remove it and not leave it for the landowner."

Lopez said that if the police action does not work, he will talk to the board of aldermen again.

"I don't own a dog and I don't feel I have to pick up their dog waste," Lopez said. "That's pretty much it. I don't own an animal and there are responsibilities with having one."