New York City is experiencing a recent hygiene problem related to pets. And it is that the dog walkers are not picking up the waste of the animals on the sidewalks.
An increase in complaints has been reported lately, especially on the west side of Manhattan, where city officials have decided to take action.
“They want to know why the city is no longer enforcing the poop removal law,” said Councilman Erik Bottcher, who represents parts of Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea and the West Village. “There is a small team that is responsible for the entire city.”
A new public information campaign on social media and at newsstands Link NYC hopes to curb the new problem.
After a decade on the job, professional dog walker Anthony Ellison said he’s never seen city sidewalks so dirty.
“I think they need to enforce the laws because we need more people to be more responsible for their dogs. If they can’t be responsible for their dogs and pick up their waste, then they shouldn’t have their dogs,” Ellison said.
The New York City Department of Sanitation is starting a campaign of fines against people who don’t pick up after their pets.
“I go out behind my building and it’s full of dog waste. I just pick them up because I can’t stand it, and I see little kids stepping on it,” Pam Story said.
The law “Curb Your Dog” was passed in 1978 and carries a $250 fine.
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