Consider this scenario:

You wake up in the morning (or your dog jumps on your bed awaking you from sound slumber), you realize you had better take the dog for a walk outside so he/she can do its "business", you step outside and find it has just snowed and a fresh carpet of snow is covering the ground. You attach the leash to your dog and youÕre on your way plowing through the newly fallen snow. The dog has a lot of fun romping in the snow but finally takes a poop on a neighborÕs lawn. ItÕs cold and windy so you decide to head back home to a warm and cozy house.

But wait, whatÕs the missing link here??? You got it if you answered "you take a bag with you to clean up the poop and you pick up the poop and properly dispose of it." Congratulations for closing the loop on poop!!!

As a non-pet owner I have been vexed and troubled by pet owners who let their pets use my yard as a toilet and, more disgustingly, donÕt pick up the petÕs "calling card" and leave it for me or someone else to discover! This is not only rude, disrespectful and un-neighborly, it is against the Madison city ordinances. These ordinances are as follows and are printed here as a reminder to all pet owners:

"The Scoop on Poop"

The following Madison General Ordinances pertain to your responsibilities for cleaning up after your dog. Dog feces can pose health risks to people and pets. The fine for violating any of these ordinances is $86.50

_ ALWAYS carry equipment sufficient to clean up your dogÕs feces whenever you and your dog are off your property. (Ordinance 7.322(2)

_ Do not allow your dog to defecate on any property, public or private (except your own property), unless you immediately remove and properly dispose of the waste. Ordinance 7.322(1)

· Do not allow dog feces to accumulate on your own property. (Ordinance 7.37(8)

Further information about Madison city ordinances controlling pet waste can be found at the cityÕs web site http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/ or at the Dane County Humane SocietyÕs web site http://www.humanesociety.dane.wi.us/DOGCARE.HTM.

So, please all you pet owners, be considerate of your neighborsÑclean up after your pets! Your efforts in keeping a clean neighborhood will be very much appreciated, especially during the upcoming winter months. Remember your responsibilities as pet owners! Close the loop on poop!!!

-A Concerned and Vexed TLNA Neighbor


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