by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — Signs have been erected around Whitewater Region advising those walking dogs must scoop if the dog poops.
Mayor Hal Johnson has received several comments concerning the problem of dogs pooping and those walking them not scooping.
During the environmental services committee meeting last week, it was suggested that six dog waste litter stations be purchased and placed in Beachburg, Cobden and Westmeath areas at a cost of about $4,620.
Once placed, waste bags would be available for those walking dogs to use to pick up their dogs’ waste. A township employee would then empty the station.
Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons said she checked with other communities that are using these stations to see how they are being used.
For people who have brought their own bags but don’t wish to continue their dog walk holding a bag of poo, it provides a spot for the bag, she said.
“It also reinforces the notion to be picking up after your pet,” CAO FitzSimons said. “People who live in cities, it’s just normal, everybody does it. But, for folks, as someone who has a lawn that gets frequently fertilized in Cobden by doggy waste that’s not picked up, I think it’s good to reinforce this notion that you are responsible for what your pet produces.”
Councillor Dave Mackay opposed spending thousands of dollars on dog poop.
“I can’t see spending that kind of money on that,” he said. “Bring your bag and pick up your own poop.”
He believes if the litter stations are there, they will be used by those who normally pick up after their pet, not by those who continuously leave it behind.
“People who do that, they’re just slobs,” Coun. Mackay said. “Don’t spend money on them.”
He said it would be much better if people were to let those people know who are leaving their dog poop behind that they should pick it up and deposit it in a trash can.
Councillor Charlene Jackson questioned where the stations would be placed.
CAO FitzSimons said the details concerning placement of the stations hadn’t been thought through that far. But, as a pilot project, the six stations could be evenly divided up between Cobden, Beachburg and Westmeath. Environmental services manager Steve Hodson could provide input as to where garbage is now picked up in those areas, and the stations could possibly be placed near those areas, she said.
If they are used, and helping to alleviate a problem, that would be great, she said. However, if they are being ignored and the problem continues, another solution would have to be found.
“It will add slightly to the workload of environmental services because Robin, or one of your employees, would also be responsible for checking them and keeping them empty,” CAO FitzSimons said. “It’s a modest start…that makes sense.”
Mayor Johnson said it would be a good program to do and to come up with places they need to be. However, if council is not in favour of spending that much money, possibly more signs could be erected.
“People might feel slightly guilty if they are not following the procedure,” he added.
Mr. Hodson noted many people in Cobden place their dog’s litter in garbage cans. However, in Beachburg there are no cans while there is one garbage can in Westmeath, which is just outside Kenny’s Convenience Store. However, in Beachburg, there is really not a proble m with dog litter, which is great, he added.
Councillor Chris Olmstead said he has had “a dozen discussions, phone calls and emails, about people not picking up after their pets.”
Church lawns seem to be a magnet for dog poop, and the Anglican church maintenance man spends about 30 minutes picking up dog poop before he can cut the lawn, he said.
The Anglican church erected a creative sign on its lawn, stating it’s a no-poop zone, said CAO FitzSimons.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin said, “I live in the country and I walk my dog. When I walk my dog, I take a leash. I take a bag that comes from the store, you can get them at the dollar store, you can get 100 for $2. That (bag) is on my leash. When my dog drops, I scoop.”
While he agrees with Mayor Johnson that more signs should be erected, it’s imperative that those who see a dog pooping and no one scooping, that person should be advised to scoop.
“I think we need education more than spending…I could see spending $6,000 on more cold patch being better and yelling at the people, not the dog,” Coun. McLaughlin said. “It’s the person on the other end of the leash, they need to be educated.”
The committee agreed not to pass a motion to spend almost $5,000 on pet waste litter stations, instead agreeing to erect more Poop and Scoop signs.
