Bit of a rant - dog poo

[DWT]

Moored up on one of the islands at Shiplake yesterday for lunch with some guests.

We were just setting up a picnic table and chairs when a dog from another moorer came to greet us and then did a poo right by where we wanted to sit.

The owner was just coming down and I pointed this out and I asked, very, very politely, if she would mind clearing it up. She seemed a bit stumped by this, but eventually did return with a carrier bag and threw the mess into the river. Again very politely I thanked her, but it was clear that she was a little unhappy. When we left the island she and her husband studiously ignored my friendly wave.

The island is pretty wild, but we often moor there with kids who love to go exploring, collecting wood for a fire etc, and I really do not like the thought of them getting covered in dog mess. I would have thought that any responsible dog owner would be careful to clear up after them, but is this an unreasonable expectation in this sort of location? Was I right to be annoyed, and a little surprised, by the owner's apparent reluctance to clear up?

I am not a dog owner so I would be interested in views.

 

[Phill]

I would have been so embarrassed if that were my dog. Always clear up after ours and expect others to do the same.
I think most boat owners with dogs are a bit more responsible. Most of us have a supply of little poo bags. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
And of course, you were right to feel the way you did.

 

[byron]

I know Emma has problems with Phil. He has a tendency to take a dump right be people's boat and she is always having to clear up after him .

 

[pande]

I do have problems with Phil, but not that sort!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[apollo]

I think I have a little sympathy with the other boat owner.

I would definitely agree with you had it been Great House/Sonning or Fawley Meadow which are a little more regularly trodden and indeed "played" on.

But Shiplake Islands are covered in Goose Sh!te which didnt seem to bother you when you moored up so whats the problem with kicking the dog mess in the drink?

 

[No Regrets]

We have a Dog, and it craps.

We clear it up, simple as that.

Dog owners are obliged by law to clear it up, so ignore their pathetic whinges... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[apollo]

Erm Law not quite to utalitarian as that:-
The Law

<span style="color:red">
Any public walk or pleasure ground

Any land laid out as a garden or used for the purpose of recreation

Any part of the seashore which is frequently used by large numbers of people, and managed by the person having direct control of it as a tourist resort or recreational facility

Any esplanade or promenade

Any land not forming part of the highway or, in Scotland, a public road, which is open to the air, which the public are permitted to use on foot only, and which provides access to retail premises

A trunk road picnic area

A picnic site.
</span>
- Not sure I would class one of the overgrown islands at Shiplake as any of these.

 

[No Regrets]

Try local by-laws, and EA regulations.

I think you'll find it's covered one way or another... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Chris_d]

Bit tricky this one without seeing exactly where you were, but if my dog did it right where you were sitting I would apologise and remove it, but if it was one of the more wild parts away from the moorings probably not. I think most dog owners are country types and are sometimes are a bit baffled by peoples reactions to poo in the countryside, afterall its full of it. Urban dog owners are a bit more house trained and clear it up anywhere.

 

[Gumpy]

Let me tell you a story:
Many moons ago I was at a canal festival sitting on a chair on the towpath working on the side of boat.
This dog came by and decided to poo right next to where I was sitting.
I called to the owner asking him to clear it up, he refused and said that boaters leave far more mess than his dog does and walked away. I then went and got the shovel from the stove collected the said poo and followed him down the towpath calling to him that he had left something behind.
When I was within range I launched the poo from the shovel in his direction, it hit him right on the back of the head and dropped down inside the back of his shirt.
He didnt miss a step just carried on walking and all the onlookers burst into applause.

Julian

 

[2Tizwoz]

I wish I could agree with you that urban dog owners clear up. The local town council decided that enough was enough and brought in bye laws with signs and fines. Previously unspoilt walks on the verge of town have consequentially become dog loos.

 

[byron]

[ QUOTE ]
We have a Dog, and it craps.

We clear it up, simple as that.

Dog owners are obliged by law to clear it up, so ignore their pathetic whinges... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Law or no law it's simple courtesy. I consider myself a responsible dog owner and as such I carry a bag or two in my pocket at all times. YES! even on my own land.

 

[Chris_d]

What a nice story, did I say I wouldn't clear it up /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Gumpy]

Sorry that wasnt supposed to be directed at you I just did a quick reply, not realising it would reply to you rather that the OP.

J

 

[Chris_d]

Apology accepted, I always view the forum in threaded mode that way you easily see the flow of the thread. The quick reply button is very dangerous and the cause of many a forum spat.

 

[DWT]

Thanks for the views.

Most people I see out walking their dogs carry their plastic bags so I did not think it would be a problem for the owner. I am prepared to accept that on the wilder parts of the island it would be difficult and probably unnecessary to clean up, but it was right on the flat area where people moor regularly.

One of my colleagues who was with me is a dog owner and he was really cross about it.

I often fill up a rubbish bag there with cans and plastic bags other people have left lying around, usually on the fires they have built, but I am less keen to clear up dog mess when the owner is right there.

 

[Hirdsp]

we have king charles x 3-apparently cos its a royal dog we cant get done if they poo! Realy not on though-why should we inflict that on someone else-tip ur elsan on their decks!