What readers said about dog waste dilemma
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
We asked readers last week to weigh in on an apparently controversial question: Is it socially acceptable for dog owners to dispose of waste in a neighbor's trash can — or do they need to take the poop bag to a public bin or their own home?
Why it matters: Many of you care about this, and you didn't hold back.
The big picture: Readers' (sometimes heated) answers generally lumped into three categories: It's abhorrent to use a neighbor's trash can; it's OK so long as it's full and being picked up soon; it's great if people use any can, period.
Here's what some of y'all said, edited for clarity and brevity:
Ashley F.: As a longtime dog owner, I'm on the side of putting the dog poop in the closest available trash can. It's infinitely better than NOT picking it up.
- Also, all of the trash is (allegedly) going to the same place so why does it matter if it's "my" can versus "your" can?
Christine S.: Wow. How rude to use a neighbor's bin! Dog poop stinks! Put it in your own bin or a public one with a lid! We have become so entitled it's depressing!
Spencer W.: My feeling is that if the bin is at the street, it is fair game. Otherwise (near the house, garage, anywhere except at the street), I won't encroach on it.
Jennifer W.: RE: the doo-doo debacle, I've occasionally used a neighbor's bin, but only if it's at the curb and hasn't been emptied yet.
Kathleen K.: I tie the bag with dog poop to my dog's collar and let him carry it home for me.
Maria G.: The only exception to my practice of waiting until I get home would be if a can is filled to the top and the lid is off, I might just sneak a bag on top of the trash pile.
- I'm not sure why I think that is any more acceptable than opening the can and putting it in but it seems more "covert" and I can just walk by and throw it on the top rather than having to stop to open the bin.
Mark T.: Your dog, your poop. Keep that s--- off of my front lawn (literally!) … I do not want some canine friend's bodily eliminations in my grass, trash can or curb. Thank you and have a pleasant rest of your walk.