Pet owners should clean up what their animals leave behind
Every day when I walk to class through the Sunnyside area, not only do I have to wade through snow and slush, but I have to strategically avoid countless animal droppings on the sidewalks.
As I recently went to step off of my front porch, I had to avoid a large pile of feces sitting in my flower bed.
I couldn’t ignore the situation any longer.
I am tired of the mess that is ruining the image of our neighborhood and my boots.
In response, I called the non-emergency police phone line in the hopes of getting some advice of how to handle the situation. I was told by the operator that my concerns were a civil issue and the police can’t get involved.
Despite the polices unwillingness to get involved, I found this:
"Morgantown City Ordinance 505.16 ANIMAL DEFECATION. (a) No owner or custodian of any animal shall cause or allow such animal to soil, defile or defecate on any public property or upon any street, sidewalk, public way, or upon private property other than that of the owner, unless such owner or custodian immediately removes and disposes of all feces deposited by such animal.
"Any person who violates this section shall be fined twenty-five dollars."
I only own an indoor cat, but I can guarantee you that you will not find the remains of my cats litter box abandoned on your flower bed, sidewalk or yard, so please, dog and other fellow pet owners, clean up after your animals.
Show some respect for your neighborhood, yourself and your pets.
Chelsea Clagg
Jones Avenue resident
1 comments