Kaipara dog owners: 'If your dog does the poop, you do the scoop'

Kaipara dog owners are being reminded to clean up after their pets after an increase in dog poo being left in public places.

By Susan Botting of Local Democracy Reporting

Kaipara District Council has adopted the message: "If your dog does the poop, you do the scoop."

In a social media post, the council said dog owners were responsible for picking up after their animals and disposing of waste properly.

"Nobody wants to see it, step in it, or scoop it up for you," the council said.

Kaipara District Council warned that dog poo could pose health risks, spoil shared public spaces and leave owners liable for a $300 fine if they failed to clean up after their pets.

The council said it had noticed more dog poo being left behind in parks, reserves and other public areas.

It has also raised concerns about dog owners bagging waste but then leaving it behind.

"We're also aware of bagged dog poo being stashed behind bushes."

It said abandoning bagged waste simply created another problem for somebody else to deal with and urged owners to take it with them until they could dispose of it in a rubbish bin.

The council used humour to drive home the message, noting that while dogs may excel at ball chasing, face licking and daytime snoozing, they cannot read signs or clean up after themselves.

"The responsibility rests with their owners," the council said.

It urged dog owners to remember a simple rule when out and about with their pets: "If your dog does the poop, you do the scoop."

The reminder is backed by Kaipara District Council's Dog Management Bylaw, which requires owners to remove dog faeces from public places. The council says the rules help reduce nuisance and ensure parks, reserves and other shared spaces remain enjoyable for everyone.

Its dog policy recognises most dog owners are responsible, but says controls are needed to minimise danger, distress and nuisance to the community and allow people to use public spaces without fear or inconvenience caused by dogs.

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air