LITH Fields Complaints Of Dog Poop Left Behind

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — Village officials are reminding residents to pick up after their pets after receiving many complaints regarding dog excrement being left behind on area walkways, Lake in the Hills officials said in the past week. Those who don't pick up their pet's poop could be issued a fine, with violations ranging from $50 to $500.

Village officials said it is unlawful to walk a pet in a public place without having "sufficient equipment with to clean up dog litter from the public place," according to a post on the village of Lake in the Hills Facebook page. In addition, it is against the law to not immediately pick up your pet's waste.

The same goes for private properties in town not owned by the dog's owner unless the private property owner has given the dog owner permission to leave the waste on their property, according to village officials.

"Bacteria in pet waste travels very easily in the rain, from lawns, parks, and trails to streams and storm drains. Just one dog can contaminate 12.5 million cups of water in 24 hours," according to village officials.

Village officials are also providing the same reminder to Bark Park members. The village makes it easy for those stopping out to let their dog run at the park as there are bags and receptacles at the site. Village officials also provided the following tips:

• Plan ahead! Bring bags with you on your walks.
• Attach a roll of bags to your leash so you don't have to worry about forgetting them.
• Bring extras to help out if a fellow K9er is without one.
• Biodegradable bags are an option if you'd like to stay environmentally friendly, but please still dispose of waste in the garbage properly; do NOT leave waste in biodegradable bags on the side of a trail or thrown in the woods. The bag will break down and the contamination from the waste will reach water systems just the same as if you had never picked it up. Using a bag made from recycled plastic or re-using a bag from a previous purchase and then putting in the garbage is recommended.

If you notice a problem of pet waste being left behind in your neighborhood, you can give the Community Development Division a call at 847-960-7400 or use the village's contact page. Village officials can put up temporary signs in the area to remind pet owner to pick up their waste.

"Leave no pile behind, Lake in the Hills," village officials wrote in the Facebook post.