A quick stroll through Beacon Park these days gives the distinct feeling of walking through a mine field.
Indeed, the mines are everywhere – dozens of heaping, scattered, squished and dried piles decorate the green grass that meets Sidney’s waterfront walkway.
Despite a sign proffering doggy-doo pickup bags, the park is often riddled with the brown obstacles from dogs large and small. The town’s animal control bylaw says dog owners are required to pick up after their canine companions on any public property, including streets, sidewalks, school fields and parks, but too often, dog owners don’t comply.
The problem isn’t just an annoyance. A Sidney resident took the time to stop in at the News Review’s office last week to bring up the issue, which she believes is getting worse. She feels the fecal fiasco is a health hazard, with pedestrians of all ages winding up with the mess on the soles of their shoes, which in turn finds its way into houses across the Peninsula. It’s a risk to kids who play in that grass.
Enforcing Sidney’s dog droppings bylaw would be time-consuming and inefficient – it would take an officer patrolling the town’s parks regularly and handing out pesky fines to remind owners of their responsibility.
Thus, the responsibility falls on all of us to ensure we keep our public spaces as beautiful, clean and people-friendly as they can be.
Dog owners, please bring a plastic bag with you when you take your four-legged pal out for a stroll. There are countless trash bins around so you won’t have to carry the present too far. For those who see others letting their pet defecate without picking up the mess: Speak up. Please remind dog owners that the town has made poop-scooping bags available and that we all have the right to enjoy these public spaces without risk of stepping on a mine.
To those dog owners who are diligent about the task, we thank you.