City Urges Dog Owners To Clean Up Waste On Fields

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL - The subject is not a pretty one. However, it had to be addressed by the City of Mountain Brook after numerous complaints. Dog waste being left on the football fields at Crestline Elementary School's football fields has become a source of "stink" - especially now that youth football games are under way for the season.

"Can you imagine the pure excitement of one of the players running for a touchdown to only be tackled at the 5 yard line and slide through a huge pile of dog waste that someone left on the field?" the city said in a statement issued Wednesday. "Now imagine how bad the smell is and what it takes to get the player cleaned up and the game started again. Some people do not have to imagine it because it does happen, all too frequently. This is why we are asking everyone to 'Doo Your Part' in helping keep our parks free of dog waste."

The fields and trails on city property do have signs that address the situation, and in fact some - including the baseball fields and fields at Crestline - have traditionally had signs posted prohibiting dogs from being allowed on the fields at all. As well, Doggie Stations are present at the city's parks with bags for waste disposal. Still, Mountain Brook's dog owners have often brought their pets out to the fields to play, and unfortunately, defecate on the fields. This was largely ignored by the city until enough complaints regarding dog waste came into the city. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

The statement by the city stressed that the issue is not just one of etiquette, but one of safety as well. "Dog waste left on the fields and trails does not just go away or become fertilizer," the statement said. "In fact, dog waste is very toxic and is labeled as a non-point pollutant by the EPA. This places it in the same category as pesticides, oil, and other chemicals. Dog feces can contain many types of parasites and bacteria that can cause humans and other pets to become sick. Besides the dangers of physically coming into contact with it, remnants can wash into the water ways and cause havoc on the ecosystem."

"We want our parks to remain pet friendly, but not at the expense of our children’s health and well-being," the statement said.

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