The hound of the matter
Dog crap. Why, oh why do people not clear up after their dog? Living in continental Europe as I do, the problem is worse here than in Britain, but it infuriates me no end that people cannot seem to take due care and attention when exercising their canine.

I've come a cropper of the crap once in 8 months, living in Amsterdam, which is about average for my track record in Britain, but this is beside the point. I've seen people let their prize poodle poop their present directly in the middle of the pavement, but it's not even done in malice, or with a slight smirk on the face. It's blatent unwillingness to think.

While out for a walk with a good friend of mine, his quadruped let one fly. "Have you got a bag?" I asked. "It's on the grass", he replied. But kids play in that park! Where's your sense of corporate social responsibility, man? He's American, he wouldn't understand those words.

I really sound like an old granddad, talking as if the world's gone mad, but this is just ludicrous. I'd accost someone when I see it occur, with such words as, "Menneer, uw hond heeft een cadeautje op straat gelaten. Heeft u een plastik tasje dabij, om hem weg te nemen?" However, I'm too chicken, and I'd probably be laughed at in return.
(nothingworn didn't eat cheese on, Sun 4 May 2008, 22:16, 5 replies)

agreed
I walk to work 45 mins each way and I absolutely hate having to dodge dog poo. If I catch anyone failing to pick up after their dog I give them a serious tune up. I even chased an old boy up my street one day after he let his dog shit on my driveway and failed to clean it up.

In fact, I dont really approve of dogs in suburbia. Barking, howling, dogshit, some (albeit very few) attacks on people... I love dogs, but I think they can be a selfish acquisition in most suburban settings.
( enoughblueskyforsailorstrousers, Sun 4 May 2008, 22:24, closed)

Never move to Buenos Aires
that is all
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Sun 4 May 2008, 23:12, closed)

Whatever happened
to white dog shit?
(magic the cat will someone please think of the kittens, Sun 4 May 2008, 23:32, closed)

Agree
I have a dog and I do clean up after him. The weird thing is that I always try and see who just leaves it on the pavement and i never see anyone but it's everywhere ! It's no fair on me or my dog as 0 % is his.

If I catch the person who lets their dog mess up the pavement outside my house where loads of little kids play I will pick it up and put it through their letter box or do the old wrap it up in a newspaper and set fire to it ringing the bell trick.
(amsterdam_neild, Mon 5 May 2008, 13:44, closed)

"When one of your footsteps falls silent"
as Clive James so delicately put it once.

This was by far a rant against conscientious dog-owners, in case it appeared that way. Maybe I'd feel more validated if I owned a dog and cared for its faeces in an appropriate manner. Also, I was thinking that I've probably hit less dog turds here because I spend a lot more time on my bike than in Britain, which might be why Amsterdammers don't care that much about pedestrian tourists having to scrub their shoes over the hotel sink.
(nothingworn didn't eat cheese on, Mon 5 May 2008, 23:28, closed)