When is Litter not Litter?

When it's excrement, that's when.

Doggie doo in litter bins is a problem reported in detail to council for years. After eons of nagging, pet-owners stoop and scoop in public spaces and take responsibility for disposal. They conspicuously carry plastic bags to alert all and sundry they are responsible pet owners and considerate neighbours.it is truly a good thing.

Some however using the parks and trail systems do not see the logic of having to carry the stuff home. "We pay high taxes," they state correctly. "Why should the town not provide us with this amenity."

There are full and practical reasons.Cost is not one.

In a recent effort to curb use of bins as puppy porta-potties, stickers were stuck warning if the practice continues, bins will be removed. The message was polite, concise and to the point.

Stickers were ignored and in some instances removed. The Mayor received complaints. Consequently., in a public meeting, staff were admonished for the "tone" of the message. That's unfortunate. The problem is too serious to be jabbed at.

Bins must be manually emptied into a truck by parks' staff. Most of the material is recyclable. Excrement weighs many times more than recyclables. At the time of collection, the stuff is saturated. Bags are torn; bins frequently so heavy they have to be handled by forklift which in turn damages surroundings.The re-cyclables are contaminated. The job is obnoxious and from a sanitary perspective, not one I would wish on my worst enemy.. People's children are doing this task.

Complaining councillors should try it. . If riding around in a shiny red firetruck show's what it's like to be a firefighter ,maybe riding around in the parks' garbage truck will accomplish the same purpose..

But that's not the worst of it.

At the site at the end of Machell Avenue a forty-eight yard container awaits.That's a big sucker. Machell is a short residential street ..The container sits until filled. .. open to the elements..."juice" seeping out and permeating the soil . The neighbours are not sanguine .

Bear in mind, most of this stuff is recyclable until contaminated by excrement.

But that's not the worst of it.

This abomination has to be shipped to Michigan. Hundreds of trucks trundle down the highway daily emitting diesel fumes and carbon into the stratosphere.and. effluent from the loads to the roads. Americans are not more fond of crap than Ontarians. They object to contaminated waste. being shipped across the border.It is against the rules.

We are breaking the rules. We are bad neighbours And that is the worst of it..

To a resident enjoying a stroll in a park or trail, it is not unreasonable to think a single deposit of poop in a plastic bag will not make a difference. Multiply it by hundreds over a period of days and it is no longer a small thing. Think about it, people.

The Green Bin is not an option. They cannot be secure in.public places.They cannot be collected from remote locations. .Turtle Island collects from roadside. A separate contractor collects the 48yard container from Machell Avenue ..

The problem is of sufficient weight, pardon the pun ,there can be no more messing about. . Pussy footing around the nastiness is not the answer.. Council must provide leadership in dealing with the issue by supporting staff instead of undermining them...

Finding fault with concise wording of a message just doesn't cut it.Pet owners have to accept the town has done due diligence to deal with the problem..

They must care of the nasties themselves. .It's one of the things you have to do to be able to enjoy the love and loyalty of an animal friend in an urban dense community.