Tuckahoe Village Departments

TUCKAHOE TALK
With Mayor John Fitzpatrick

YOUR DOG DUTY

June 23, 2008

Let me go on record right at the front of this article and say that I have nothing against dogs. In fact, I like dogs. However, I was just wondering, "When did everyone get a dog?" My personal observations may seem like an exaggeration, since officially only 14 Tuckahoe residents have been issued dog licenses in 2008. I wonder if the marvels of modern technology and breeding have anything to do with the surging dog ownership trend. We now have dogs that don’t shed, and even dogs that don’t grow. When my children occasionally ask if we can have a dog, I tell them we are merely waiting for the breed of dog that doesn’t poop. The poop thing is a major responsibility, and in my opinion the major drawback to being a dog owner. While many attend to this duty conscientiously, others do not.

Recently I noticed a strange phenomenon on Maynard Street in our village. Plastic bags were affixed to various trees along a block. It was obvious that these had been deliberately hung, but I couldn’t imagine why. I decided to knock on a door and inquire. The reactions I usually get when knocking on doors range from people who have no idea who I am, to those wondering why the Mayor is standing at their door. This particular homeowner pointed out that the area had been experiencing an increase in unscooped dog waste. Afterwards, I made a few calls to other residents of this block and I learned that they thought the village had placed these bags on the trees. I quickly assured them that this was not the case. It appears as though some well-intentioned resident had gotten fed up with an escalating dog-waste problem and took matters into their own hands. They must have felt that if these dog-owning individuals were inconsiderate enough to leave the house without a bag, they would leave them a few to use.

This area of Tuckahoe had not formally reported this dilemma to my office so I was unaware of the trouble. I will have you know that a few areas have complained and we certainly work with them to remedy the problem. But even when we are informed I must point out that in order to issue a summons our police officers must witness these owners and their animals in the so-called "act." This is not to say that residents shouldn’t make a complaint. Once there has been a complaint our officers will watch the area for dog-walkers and remind them of the laws. I certainly can understand any resident’s frustration with this unpleasant situation. To the "Bag Hanger of Maynard" I commend your initiative; however, hanging bags is not the answer.

In order to combat this problem, some communities in Westchester have purchased dog waste bag dispensers and hung them on poles. This additionally requires a garbage pail for the filled bags to be disposed in. To me this seems like an over indulgence of those who have an obligation that comes with dog ownership. Besides, placement of trash receptacles is a tricky business. Placing this type of dispenser and receptacle almost encourages people to have their dog do their business in that area and who would want to live near that? As always, I believe enforcement of the existing rules is the answer.

I recently researched the phrase "Curb Your Dog". Apparently, back in 1937, the New York City sanitation department placed twenty-five signs asking the public to "Please Curb Your Dog". Evidently this request went unheeded since in 1938 the city passed an ordinance and took the word "Please" out of the new signs. The law required all dog-owners to keep their dogs off sidewalks and public and private grass and in the street while defecating. In those days you were not required to pick it up, you just had to make sure it was in the street. Some think curbing you dog is dangerous to the animal because of traffic. Worrying about the delicate sensibilities of some dogs’ preference to grass over asphalt is definitely not in my nature. If you own grass let your dog do whatever it wants to do there. If you don’t, then the animal belongs in the street and if it is poop it must be picked up.

It has always been my contention that when the small things are addressed our quality of life increases. Most dog owners faithfully adhere to the laws governing ownership. In closing, let me offer a couple of reminders to those inconsiderate few who are out there. Get your dog a license; it’s the law. Keep you dog on a leash; it’s the law. Scoop your dog’s poop; it’s the law. Keep your dog off public grass while defecating; it is the law. What is not covered under the law but falls more into the category of common sense is keeping your dog off other people’s lawns. And never dispose of your scooped and bagged poop in another resident’s garbage pail or the sewer. Take it home with you; it’s your duty.