People need to show more personal responsibility for their pets.
That is the message from a Saanich woman who discovered a pile of discarded dog poop bags in bushes on the north side of Vanalman Avenue just west of an industrial area.
“I have no idea (who is responsible),” said Ann Topp, when asked about the source of the bags. “I was just so surprised to see it, because it was such a concentration.”
Topp’s photos of the mess — shared on the Saanich News Facebook page — sparked a wave of internet anger.
“What is the point of picking up after your dog if you are going to do this?” asked Jeany Souza-Shipley. “Give your head a shake, people!!!”
“This is why we can’t have nice things,” said Julie-Ann Anderson. “Goodness that’s disrespectful for everyone else on the trails!”
“All the bags look the same,” wrote Colleen Clare. “Probably the same lazy jerk who has been tossing bags all winter.”
According to Saanich’s animal bylaw, owners who do not clean up after their dogs face a fine of no less than $100. “[No] person shall deposit garbage on a street except in a litter bin,” according to Saanich’s streets and traffic bylaw, which says that individuals face a fine of no less than $100.
Topp, a frequent walker, said she often walks with friends with dogs, and they not only bring their own bags to clean up after their animals, but also carry them home for disposal.
Several commentators expressed the concern that such incidents could lead to bans of dogs on public trails.
“Imagine a non-dog owner going for a hike!” wrote Charleen DeLong. “No wonder we are constantly fighting for our rights to have dogs on trails and beaches. It’s ours to take responsibility for.”
Reaction to Topp’s discovery also suggest that she did not uncover an isolated problem. Cavalier dog owners also appear to have left behind poop bags across Saanich and the region at large, including the Colquitz River Trail, the Swan Lake area, the Mount Douglas area, the Gordon Head neighbourhood, as well as Thetis Lake and East Sooke Park among other places.
But if commentators were largely critical, some of their comments also point toward the possibility that the responsible parties might have thought that the bags would naturally decompose.
“People seem to think that collecting the poo in a biodegradable bag is equivalent to disposing of it,” said John Phillips. “Wrong.”
“If you bag it ….drag it out!,” Glen Tunbull posted. “Or don’t walk your pooper where I hike. Please. Thank you.”