New York (AFP) – New York lawmakers on Friday proposed a pile of measures to rid dog poop from the city’s streets and parks after residents raised a stink over the issue. “We’ve all experienced it before, that instantaneous feeling of deep regret right after you stepped in it, something that’s much too soft to be concrete,” Julie Menin, the city council speaker, told reporters.
She cited a 35 percent hike in dog poop complaints in early 2026 from a year earlier, largely blamed on a winter storm that exposed weeks of uncollected waste when snow and ice melted. The so-called SCOOP Act includes provisions for more dog waste bags in parks and signage to encourage owners to clean up after their pets. It would also launch a pilot program to compost the poop at some city-managed dog runs. A council vote on the bill is expected at a later date.
Menin said the SCOOP Act is not punitive and instead is aimed at “encouraging dog owners to do the right thing.” “Let’s make no bones about it. Today is not about blaming dogs or their loved ones who care for them,” she said. “It’s about giving people more resources and gentle reminders to better care for their furry friends and their communities.”
City lawmakers are also promoting a new NYC Scoop Patrol that will organize community dog-waste cleanup events. It is illegal to not clean up after your dog in New York, but authorities say that enforcement has been inconsistent.
© 2024 AFP
