Tired of dog poop in public spaces? You’re not alone

From city parks to rural paths, dog poop is piling up. It’s time for real consequences for lazy dog owners

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When my husband and I bought an acreage that backed onto a municipal trailhead—a public access point to local walking trails maintained by the municipality—we thought we’d found the perfect mix of rural charm and urban convenience. As someone who works from home and enjoys daily walks with the dog, having direct access to nature seemed like a dream.

But it didn’t take long for that dream to get, quite literally, messy.

The trails are scenic and rustic—unpaved, tree-lined and winding through a lovely natural setting. Unfortunately, they’re also littered with dog feces. Walking them has become an obstacle course of landmines left behind by irresponsible pet owners. And it’s not just the trails. Yards, sidewalks and even front lawns throughout the area show the same pattern of neglect.

This isn’t a new problem, and it isn’t unique to our community. Municipalities across Canada struggle with pet waste in public spaces. Signs are posted, bins are installed and dog-waste bags are provided, yet the problem persists. Enforcement remains patchy at best, and the worst offenders know it.

Having spent 15 years working in bylaw enforcement, I’ve seen firsthand how issues like these can poison neighbourhood relations.

The failure to clean up after pets may seem minor, but it quickly becomes a flashpoint. Tensions escalate. Signs threaten video surveillance. Residents contemplate legal action. What starts as a nuisance becomes a conflict.

And the psychology behind it is baffling. Some owners walk away, pretending not to notice. Others pick up the waste, only to leave the bag beside the trail or toss it into a neighbour’s yard. The excuses are endless: no bag, full bin, “someone else will get it.” In some cases, it’s pure laziness.

That’s created a frustrating dynamic: many non-dog owners now assume all dog owners are inconsiderate. That stereotype drives deeper division and makes cooperative solutions harder to achieve.

Left unchecked, dog waste isn’t just an eyesore—it poses health risks, pollutes waterways and degrades shared green spaces many communities work hard to maintain.

Some municipalities have tried ramping up enforcement, but it’s difficult to catch offenders in the act. Bylaw officers can’t be everywhere at once, and even video surveillance has limited value without a clear identification.

So what’s the solution?

At a minimum, municipalities must treat this as a serious issue of shared space and public hygiene. That means consistent enforcement—not just signs and reminders. Fines need to be visible and enforced. Licensing systems should be tied to penalties. Repeat offenders should be made accountable.

But this isn’t just a government issue. Dog owners must take responsibility. Cleaning up after your pet is not optional—it’s the price of admission for using public spaces. It’s about basic respect for your neighbours.

As a dog lover myself, I know it’s a minor inconvenience. But it’s also the easiest thing in the world to fix. Bag it. Bin it. That’s all.

If we want cleaner communities and less conflict, we need to stop tolerating the mess—one pile at a time.

Faith Wood is a professional speaker, author, and certified professional behaviour analyst. Before her career in speaking and writing, she served in law enforcement, which gave her a unique perspective on human behaviour and motivations. Faith is also known for her work as a novelist, with a focus on thrillers and suspense. Her background in law enforcement and understanding of human behaviour often play a significant role in her writing.