Is It OK To Put Dog Poop In A Neighbor's Trash Bin? [Block Talk]

ACROSS AMERICA — Did we ever lob a stink bomb when we asked what to do about that person who drops their dog’s doo in your trash can. More than 200 readers across the country spoke their minds in our informal survey for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column.

The dog doo dust up is much ado about nothing, several readers said.

“Let them use the trash. It’s a garbage can,” said Kate, who reads Glastonbury (Connecticut) Patch. “I would not mind if someone used mine.”

Julie, a Hillsborough (New Jersey) Patch reader, doesn’t care, either. She would say “nothing” but “thank you for picking it up.”

“It’s garbage, so what? As long as they tied it up nice,” said Smithtown (New York) Patch reader Donna.

Greater Alexandria (Virginia) Patch reader “Not Karen” spoke for many readers when she said, “Be glad they picked up their dog poo in the first place.”

An Oak Lawn (Illinois) Patch reader who says her name is Karen said she would “thank them for not leaving it in my lawn.”

“It’s not a big deal,” said Middleton (Rhode Island) Patch reader Anna. “I’d rather they pick it up and dispose of it properly than just leave it.”

‘Who Is Sniffing Trash Cans?’

The problem, if it can be called that, is easily solved, said Elmhurst (Illinois) Patch reader Ann. Once the trash has been picked up, “pull your garbage can into your garage or yard,” she said. “It’s not worth getting into a fight over.”

“Does your trash always smell great?” Haverford-Havertown (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Sandy quipped. “And who is sniffing trash cans, anyway?”

“Is it really a big deal? Trash in general stinks, and better to pick it up than leave it for someone to step in. That’s gross and disgusting,” said Montgomery (Illinois) Patch reader Donna.

You know what else is disgusting? People “who drop [dog waste] in recycle leaf bags, which is disgusting and disrespectful,” said Patch reader Kris.

“I wouldn't mind if a dog walker put a dog poo in a full garbage can, but they like to put them in empty garbage cans, which are there for sometimes a week,” she said.

“I’m OK with it if the can is full and ready to be picked up by the trash truck,” said Yardley (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Patty. “If the can is empty, don’t deposit your pooch’s poop in there!”

Several other people agreed that yet-to-be emptied trash cans at the curb are fair game.

“If the trash bin is in the street on trash day, it’s OK,” said Cranston (Rhode Island) Patch reader Kat, who also thinks it’s a good idea to “mind your own business [because] you can’t police the world.”

“For the record, I’d never dump it in a freshly emptied garbage can,” Toms River (New Jersey) Patch reader Jenny said, adding with a “lol” that she uses trash cans at the curb to deposit her dog bag only if they haven’t been emptied on trash pickup day.

“If my trash can had been emptied, and I saw the dog walker, I’d tell them it’s my trash can, not a public trash can,” said Rochester-Rochester Hills (Michigan) Patch reader LinKay. “There are public trash cans three blocks east. I don’t use private cans for my dogs’ waste.”

‘Nobody Wants Bags Of Poo’

Debbie, who reads Long Island Patch and several others in the region, said her husband has confronted people who have been caught on their home security cameras sneaking the poo into their trash cans. He told them to take the bag of poop home with them.

“It is not okay,” Debbie said. “We take care of our property, we clean our bins every week and I hate when people do that, especially when it’s hot. It smells insane. I believe they should take it with them, unless the trash is not picked up yet.”

Pete, a Pennsylvania resident who has plenty of poop of his own dog’s to deal with, doesn’t appreciate it when people add to the pile.

“If you think it’s OK to drop your dog’s poo in someone else’s trash, can you give me your address, so I can stop by and drop off the 14 bags per week my dog leaves for me to pick up?” the Abingdon Patch and Lower Gwynedd-Ambler-Whitpain Patch reader said. “Nobody wants bags of poo stuck to the bottom of their can, especially people that don’t own dogs.”

It’s the principle, said Warminster (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Kim.

“I don't have a dog, but I have kids,” she said. “Should I deposit the messy diapers in my neighbor’s cans? A poo bag dropped in an empty can could sit there for a long time, because when a can gets dumped into a truck, it doesn't always fall in, it stays on the bottom of the can.”

Kim said that if she saw the deed, she would “ask them to take it out and not to do it again.”

‘A Poop Surprise’

Milford (Connecticut) Patch reader Darcy cut right to the chase.

“Report them to the police,” she said. “It is illegal to dump trash in a private bin in almost every U.S. jurisdiction. Additionally, ensure you get a good video or picture of the offender for the police. Post on social media if needed to identify the suspect.”

“Go to their house and throw trash in their can as well,” said Joliet (Illinois) Patch reader Jackie.

“I know who they are. I will return it to them,” said Orland Park (Illinois) Patch reader Marge. “Dog owners should take their dog’s waste back to their own cans.”

Rachel, who reads Milford Patch and Shelton-Derby Patch in Connecticut, said that if she sees someone leaving an unwanted dog doo deposit, she would “make them climb into my garbage can and get it out.”

Tom, who reads Merrick Patch and Bellmore Patch in New York, thinks it’s OK to return the bags of dung to the trash bins of people who left it there, but said “it will take time and patience” to educate them.

“I put up signs, and it still happened,” Tom said. “I had to find out for sure who was doing it via Ring, then I had to see him and then follow him home. It took a few years.

“Then it was the perfect storm. He dumped it in my empty bin. I picked it up, walked to his house (right around the corner) and they were emptying his bin as I got there. I deposited his dog’s poop in his empty bin. After that, I never got another bag of poop surprise.”

And then there’s this from Julia, a Berkeley Township (New Jersey) Patch reader:

“I think my own dog’s bagged poop would be happy to meet new friends.”

Don’t Put Up With That — Well, You Know

If it’s worth worrying about, it’s worth talking with the offenders, several readers said.

“Confront them,” said Vincent, who reads Melrose Patch and Lynnfield Patch, both in Massachusetts. “Ask them not to do that.”

“Speak to them immediately and make them take it,” Woburn (Massachusetts) Patch reader Kristina said.

Middletown (New Jersey) Patch reader Barb suggested a different approach.

“I’ve brought a bag out to them and told them I’m sure they just forgot their bags,” she said. “They are good about it so far.”

Approach the offender politely, said several readers, including Howell (New Jersey) Patch reader Lindy.

“If it continues, ask them to clean out your poop smelling can and see their response,” Lindy said. “If it doesn’t stop, clean your own dog’s poop from your yard, dispose of it in their can and see what they say.”

A Parsippany (New Jersey) Patch reader also suggested a friendly approach, but said if that doesn’t work, “return the bag to them personally.”

Bobbi, who reads Annapolis Patch and Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch in Maryland, suggested just dealing with it unless it becomes a regular thing.

“Complain about it to your family, and if it gets to be a habit, point the Ring camera at them and figure out who it is and call them,” she said.

Should You Return The Poo?

Several readers suggested retaliation, a position we’re generous enough to think was borne more out of frustration than actual intent.

“I would be angry and let them know it is NOT okay,” said Stillwater (Minnesota) Patch reader Diane. “I would make them remove it. Then I would leave some of the same on their front step.”

“Just kidding,” Diane added, “but I would want to.”

“Place it in their mailbox,” said Sayville-Bayport (New York) Patch reader Bill.

Tim, who may or may not be kidding, said he would take the poop to the dog owner’s house, “drop it on the stoop — or better yet, drop it on the hood of their car, or maybe out in their mailbox, so they get a nice surprise when they retrieve the mail.”

Be careful about that, warned Across America Patch reader Bob.

“Don’t do anything,” he said. “People are nuts these days, too dangerous to approach sometimes, and you can’t tell how they’ll react.”

‘Dog Owner Ethics 101’

What is it with people treating other’s trash cans for doogie doo disposal, Cupertino (California) Patch reader Sarah wondered.

“I guess you would have to ask them to stop, but, honestly, I think they should have known better,” she said. “People need to stop taking advantage of other people’s things because they are lazy. They should deposit their trash in their own bin.”

It’s “dog owner responsibility and ethics 101,” said a Gwynedd-Ambler-Whitpain Patch reader who goes by “Penny Lane.”

“It’s not ideal but, honestly, the bar is really low right now,” said an Evanston (Illinois) Patch reader.

“There are so many dog owners who don’t even pick up after their dog. It’s beyond disgusting and disrespectful. So, sure, I’d rather deal with nasty, odorous dog poop (in tied-up bags) in our garbage can than on the lawn [or] sidewalk, but they should (legally even) take it with them,” the person said.

“Even better, dog owners, stop letting your dogs use other people’s yards and public spaces as a toilet (No. 1 and No. 2). Have them go to the bathroom where you live and deal with those consequences yourself.”

Some readers want better poop bags. One of them, Across America Patch reader Terri , said, “Manufacturers that make dog poop bags should make them larger or with handles or ties, so owners would be more apt to tie the bags.”

Elmhurst Patch reader Janet thinks “putting poop in plastic bags is stupid.”

If left to decompose naturally, “it dries and crumbles in a week,” she said. “Don’t pick it up like it’s the ’70s.”

Editor’s note: Readers also had plenty to say about people who don’t clean up after their dogs at all. We’ll have more about that in two weeks.

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.

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