A certain substance is experiencing a resurgence in New York City, despite being scarce in the past. It is now abundantly available and distributed freely, to the point where you might even find it on your shoe at this very moment. The substance in question is dog waste, and many people are understandably annoyed by it.
In response to the increasing number of complaints, the city’s Department of Sanitation announced in 2022 that they would take action against irresponsible individuals who fail to clean up after their pets. The sanitation commissioner, Jessica Tisch, stated that they would make greater efforts to enforce the existing $250 fine. City Councilmember Erik Bottcher also launched an awareness campaign called “There Is No Poop Fairy” to educate New Yorkers about their responsibilities. Surprisingly, in 2022, only 18 tickets were issued for this offense. However, complaints to the city’s 311 hotline have risen by 17 percent in 2023.
New York City Councilmember Julie Menin has also been inundated with complaints from her constituents regarding the increase in dog waste on sidewalks. Most of the grievances revolve around areas near schools, where children often step in it and strollers end up rolling through it. A recent study revealed that puddle water from the city’s sidewalks contains an average of 31,000 fecal bacteria per 100 milliliters. Menin believes these bacteria levels are unacceptable and would result in the closure of a public beach.
Although encountering dog waste is unpleasant, this issue is not unique to New York City. In fact, a survey conducted in 2023 revealed that Seattle has the worst dog waste problem based on complaints made on Twitter. It is clear that this problem is caused by irresponsible human behavior rather than the dogs themselves.
The responsibility of cleaning up after their canine companions is a given for dog owners nowadays. However, this expectation is relatively new and was initially seen as absurd. In 1978, New York State passed a law requiring dog owners to remove any feces left by their dogs in public spaces. This law played a significant role in shifting public attitudes towards dog waste. Since then, New York City has been at the forefront of this change, setting an example for the rest of the country.
The struggle to pass this law was not an easy one. Activist Fran Lee, the leader of Children Before Dogs, was particularly concerned about the health risks associated with Toxocara canis, a type of roundworm found in dog feces. She believed that dogs should only relieve themselves within the confines of their owners’ apartments. Although her views were extreme, she managed to gain support from then-Mayor John Lindsay, who recognized the need for a legislative solution to the problem of dog waste. After several attempts, the law was passed in 1977, under Governor Ed Koch’s administration. The law included fines for those who failed to clean up after their dogs.
While it is difficult to quantify the exact amount of dog waste on sidewalks, the law has made a noticeable difference. According to Alan Beck, the former director of the Bureau of Animal Affairs in New York City, people began to perceive a change within the first few months of the law’s implementation. Clean streets became a norm, and dog ownership became more socially acceptable.
Despite having decades of experience with scooping dog waste, it is frustrating that this task still requires citywide campaigns to raise awareness. Most people who neglect to clean up after their dogs understand that what they are doing is wrong. They are aware that they are creating an unsanitary environment for their neighbors and themselves if they do it in their own neighborhoods. So why do they continue to do it?
German sociologist Matthias Gross dedicated ten years to studying the motivations behind these individuals who fail to pick up after their dogs. He observed their behavior in parks across different cities at various times of the day. Gross concluded that people were less likely to clean up in the early morning but would choose to do so in the afternoon. His research suggests that people might care more about being perceived as good citizens rather than actually keeping the parks clean. This phenomenon reflects the concept of the tragedy of the commons, where individuals act selfishly when given access to communal resources. However, if everyone acted selfishly, the shared spaces would be spoiled.
Many non-scoopers try to cover up their neglect by pretending that they are unaware of their dog’s actions. Gross noted that he witnessed dog owners using their iPhones to feign ignorance. These devices are often utilized strategically to avoid taking responsibility for cleaning up after their dogs.
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