I am not sure how the whole "bag your dog poop" thing started but apparently it is a very taboo thing to let your dog poop somewhere other than your own yard and not pick it up. Maybe it's because there are more people living in apartments/condos/ townhomes that also have dogs that must be taken out to a public space to do their business. I do believe that more people are also bringing their dogs along with them when they go out than they used to. Dog parks were not a thing when I was growing up so that is another possible contributing factor. Maybe it is simply the fact that there are more people in general and more people equals more dogs and everyone wants a dog because dogs are fucking awesome. More dogs out and about would, of course, mean more poo in public places which would get very messy, thus, everyone must now carry little bags while Fido is with you.
Don't get me wrong, dog poop bags have their place because of the reasons I listed above. They are completely acceptable while taking your dog for a walk in the neighborhood, the dog park, or any other place in the city. For some reason, I never see a dog poop bag while out walking in town and I see plenty of people out with their dogs. Here it would be unacceptable to leave the poop bag on the sidewalk just as much as it would be to leave the poop. This is the part that makes me wonder if it's actually a people issue. Are we so obsessed with everything being so perfect that a pile of dog poo just cannot be tolerated? Shit on the sidewalk is not cool but in the grass, eh, not such a big deal.
While I agree that no one wants to step in feces while out hiking (I am always avoiding deer, horse, and other animal poop), most people don't want to see the assortment of rainbow-colored bags along the trail either. I know I'm sick of seeing them but it has become the norm and I find this appalling. How is it that it is unacceptable to leave them on the sidewalk in a neighborhood but it is okay to leave them all along the trail? All of those dog parents have apparently forgotten the "Pack it Out" rule, at least where the dog poo is concerned. I have a feeling that most of those people wouldn't leave a plastic water bottle behind but it's no biggie to leave the dog shit bag at the site of the offense. Some of you might make the argument that the bags will decompose. Maybe some of them but do all of them? And let's just say that all of them do decompose, how long does it take? I guarantee it's a lot longer than if the poop was left out to the elements instead of being tied up in a bag. So, as I originally suggested, let's nix the baggies on the trails. If you see your dog about to go #2, pull them off of the trail so people aren't going to step in it. If you're not in time to get them off of the trail, then use a stick or something to clear it from the area. Poop in the wilderness is not a big deal but the poop bags are.
There is NO dog poop bag fairy people. Maybe as a child you were told a story about a grungy little fairy that lived in the wilderness that got rid of all of the poop bags but let me tell you, he/she DOES NOT EXIST! There isn't anyone that comes along and picks all of them up for you. If you are going to bring your dog, either pack that shit out or let's all agree to stop using them and be responsible enough to simply clear the path. This has got to change and I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way.
Peace, Love, and Light. Blessed be.
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