Axios asks: What's proper dog poop etiquette?
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Our friends at Axios Cleveland really stepped in it when they asked: Is it acceptable to deposit bagged dog poop in a stranger's trash can?
- Not only was Axios reporter Sam Allard yelled at for doing so, but his readers were "rankled" enough to call him "entitled and completely rude." Woah.
Why it matters: Dog etiquette is a steamy topic for locals everywhere, and proper doodoo disposal is vital for public health and not being totally grossed out all the time.
Zoom in: More than 7,600 dogs were estimated to be living downtown Kansas City in 2018, according to Flatland — producing almost half a million pounds of poop per year — and the number of households in the city's center has only grown since then.
💬 Travis' thought bubble: Walking around downtown with my dog Ollie makes me believe those numbers. It's a minefield out there.
- I once got chewed out when someone thought I was leaving droppings on the ground. I was just walking over to the dog bag dispenser a few feet away.
What we're asking: Do you mind if people throw their waste bags in your curbside bin?
- Assuming, of course, that the trash hasn't already been picked up and you won't be stuck with the smell for a week.
Another question: Is it OK to cop a poop bag from a public waste dispenser if you have your own bags in hand?
Also, if you're brave enough to admit to leaving your pup's poo unpicked up, what's your rationale?
📬 Get in touch: If you have strong feelings or silly anecdotes about dog-dropping etiquette, please share them with us at [email protected].