Calgary dog owners asked to be responsible of their pet’s feces

It’s a problem that seems to pop up every spring, and dog owners in Calgary are being reminded to be more careful.

Some people in Calgary are getting more frustrated about dog poop being left behind in parks around the city, renewing a reminder for dog owners to be responsible.

Out at River Park in the southwest, it’s a dog’s paradise: lots of room to run around and play fetch and lots of room to go to the bathroom.

Apart from encountering a couple of small stinky mounds, the issue at that particular park didn’t seem to be too significant.

Some dog owners who spoke to CityNews say it doesn’t seem to be that big of a problem.

“I think they’re always at that risk without being some left behind but if I had to say it’s largely because some dogs just travel a little bit further ahead than their owners,” said one Calgarian. “I usually say ‘oh did you forget a bag I have one here for you’ or something like that, and usually people are really good.”

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It seems like most of what gets found now is either a result of what was leftover from the winter or a dog owner not quite seeing exactly where their pooch is going.

“As long as it’s somewhere accessible I’ll pick up after my dog and he’s pretty good,” said one person.

“I’ve always cared about that but I’m especially diligent because it’s my responsibility to have a dog, and for her to enjoy the park and everyone else too,” said another person.

There may only be a small minority of people not picking up after their pets. In addition, it seems to be something that pops up every spring or is a result of somebody having a small lapse of attention.

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“This is the worst time of year,” said one person. “It’s the new melt and it’s kind of gross, agreed, but it is seasonal.”

“It always happens in the spring and I think because people have to walk their dogs at night, I think they don’t see it quite as often,” said another.

Bylaw officer Bradley Johnson says dog walkers should keep a close watch.

“In my opinion for every summer we just start getting more of these calls and we start getting out in those park spaces more and dealing with these citizens,” said Johnson.

“It looks like it’s going to be a nice summer. We all want to be out there to enjoy, so all I can recommend is just people to be mindful and responsible pet owners throughout the summer months.”

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Johnson adds it doesn’t seem to be a worsening issue, but bylaw officers will be heading out to parks to regulate. anyone caught not picking up after their dog could get hit with a $500 fine.

“I’ve had that happen where I haven’t had enough bags with me and I’ve just asked and gotten some and it just makes the whole process so much easier,” said one dog owner.

Johnson says don’t just think it’s not that big of a deal.

“This stuff just doesn’t disappear after three days,” he said. “It stays for quite a long time.”

–With files from Tom Ross