Dog Walking Etiquette Question: A Neighbor’s Trashcan

A while back, my neighbor was complaining about his overly smelly trash can. He hypothesized, among other reasons for its stench, that dog owners were throwing bags of their dog’s waste into his green, City of Alexandria bin.

It was then that I sheepishly admitted what I am about to confess to you all now: I sometimes throw away my dog’s poop bags in neighbors’ trashcans.

It’s not a regular activity. I have a common dog walking route we take that ends by our trash bin. If there is anything to dispose of then I do it in our own SuperCan.

But sometimes the dogs and I take long, random walks that weave through the neighborhood, exploring avenues of Del Ray we don’t often see. Often on these walks the only trash receptacles available are the large, City of Alexandria cans sitting outside various houses.

It is moments like these where I find myself peering over my shoulder and then quickly throwing the used bag into someone else’s trash.

Obviously I have some trepidation or else I wouldn’t feel it necessary to double check that no one is watching. I’m not exactly sure why though. I guess I fear someone who is very possessive of their trashcan will see me and question my actions.

Am I alone in doing this? Do I owe an apology and some potpourri to my neighbors? Or are there other local dog owners who want to come clean about their dirty doggy bags?