A rant about inconsiderate and irresponsible pet care on the trail.
Let me say this first, I love dogs. I am going to smile at your dog before I even look at you. I like dog owners too; rather, I like the ones that are responsible and respectful owners. I am focusing on dogs because those are the only pets I see on the trail but if you leash up your llama and take him walking then you are included. What I do not like at all and find completely unacceptable, are people that do not take proper responsibility for what their dog leaves behind on the trail. Most parks here in New Jersey have posted signs asking that you clean up after your pet and are kind enough to supply you with resources to do it. There are 3 different offenses that I have noticed that are unnecessary and need to be talked about: people that use the bags and then throw them in the trail toilets, people that just leave piles of crap right on the trail, and the worst of them all, people that bag their dog’s crap and then throw the non-biodegradable plastic bag into the woods to preserve the turd for all eternity.
The people that throw their dogs crap in the toilet.
The restrooms found at trail-heads are there for the convenience of the trail users and I understand that. However a large majority are either composting toilets or porta-johns and your plastic bag of crap interrupts the proper functioning and cleaning of these. Thank you for picking up your dog’s waste and following the law but commit to it fully and take it with you. Some parks even have trash bins just for the curbed waste and simply need to be used.
The people that leave crap right in the middle of the trail.
You are just plain inconsiderate. It is a health issue and a cleanliness issue, so clean up your pet’s waste. Leaving a steaming pile of crap for some poor soul to step in and track who-knows-where is disrespectful and illegal. What you are doing is unacceptable and your behavior needs correction. I encourage any hiker, biker, cross-country skier, snow-shoer, or other trail user to directly address anyone you see engaging in this practice.
The worst! People that pick up their dog crap with a plastic bag, tie it shut, and then toss it out into the woods along the trail.
You are a special kind of disrespectful. You are not only being irresponsible with your pet waste but also littering at the same time. What makes anyone think it is ok to go around creating these time capsules of crap that will live on long after they are gone? You took the time to pick it up now muster up the energy to carry it out.
Everyone should be thoughtful and respectful when using the public lands, sidewalks, parks, and trails that belong to us all. This includes pet owners. When they say take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints, it applies to your crap too because I sure don’t want any of it!