What’s the Deal with the Law about Picking Up Dog Poop?

“Hi, I’m Danny Karon, your Lovable Lawyer here with your quick shot of legal wellness. It’s not just me today but we have a special guest on the show. This is sweet old lady Bee, the law dog and my best buddy ever. The reason we have her with us today is because we’re going to talk about the law involving picking up your dog’s poop. Let’s get into it because it’s a big deal, especially if you’re the one stepping in it or if you’re the one getting the ticket.

First things first, dog poop is disgusting. You wouldn’t want to leave it on the ground for a couple of reasons. One, it’s a health hazard—E. coli, salmonella, parasites. Secondly, the rain water can run dog poop into the water supply so suddenly, your water supply isn’t suitable for drinking, for fishing, or for swimming. Not to mention, it contaminates the habitat of the creatures living in the water.

Now, let’s talk a little bit about the law. Did you know that the first place to enact a pooper scooper law back in 1978 was a city in New York? That law said that each person who owns or controls a dog must remove any feces left by that dog on any sidewalk, gutter, street, or other public area and dispose of it in a legal manner. The law authorized employees of the city of New York’s Departments of Health, Sanitation, or Parks and Recreation to issue tickets. If you leave dog poop on the sidewalk in New York, it could be $250. In Chicago it can range from $50 to $500. In Los Angeles, also $500. That’s a lot of money for simply not picking up a poop bag and doing your civic and legal duty.

Life’s too short to get yourself in a pinch for not picking up your dog’s poop. Do the right thing, pick up after your dog, and stay out of trouble. Keep the streets safe for you and everybody else. That is today’s shot of legal wellness from Sweet Lady Bee, the law dog and me, Danny Karon, your Lovable Lawyer.”