The Bronx - The Poop Capital of the World

For Real

I am sick and tired of all the crap that I am encountering...literally. No joke! The streets of the Bronx are freaking littered with

dog feces, and the city does not seem to care, one bit. It seems that certain dog owners let their dogs do their “duties”, and just walk away with impunity, not caring on whether their actions have consequences. Whenever I encounter these things, I never find one cop on sight that can try to curb this behavior. This is terrible.

 

Calling The Bronx “The Poop Capital of the World” may sound like hyperbole. At the same time, it is impossible to ignore all of the feces that I encounter on sidewalks. This is especially so in the South Bronx, where law-and-order does not seem to exist. On the Riverdale part of Bronx County, it is very rare that I encounter this type of issue, where people seem to act more educated, and care what others think of them.

Anyway, just imagine you are walking, minding your own business, maybe humming a tune, and BAM! You nearly slip on what looks like a particularly… robust… deposit. And it's not like it's just the occasional, "oops, forgot the bag" situation. We're talking whole fields of it. I swear, some days I think the local pigeons are just using it as a stepping stone.

I do not have a dog, so I cannot imagine what dog-owners go through. But come on, people, a little responsibility goes a long way. I mean, I don't leave my… well, I don't leave anything on the sidewalk, do I? It's just basic courtesy.

Encountering poop-litter is very frustrating. Every time I see it on the sidewalk, I become demoralized with how nobody is talking about some solutions. Therefore, I will offer some ways to fight this:

1. Awareness and Education

• Friendly Signs: Put up polite but clear signs encouraging dog owners to clean up after their pets. Adding humor can be effective, like “Your dog did his duty, now do yours!”

• Community Engagement: Speak with your neighbors about the issue. Sometimes a community reminder can be enough.

• Social Media/Neighborhood Apps: Platforms like Nextdoor can help you raise awareness in a non-confrontational way.

2. Practical Solutions

• Provide Bags and Bins: Sometimes people forget or don't have bags. Installing a dispenser with waste bags and a nearby bin can encourage responsibility.

• Mark Problem Areas: Chalk outlines or gentle notes placed near frequent offenders may draw attention to the issue.

3. Reporting and Enforcement

• Local Ordinances: Many cities have laws requiring dog owners to pick up after their pets. Contact your local animal control or city services to report recurring issues.

• Cameras or Doorbell Footage: If the problem is severe, security cameras may help identify repeat offenders.

4. Direct but Diplomatic Approach

• If you know the person responsible, a calm and non-confrontational conversation may resolve the issue without escalating tensions.

Final Words

There is no denying that encountering dog-poop is annoying and unsanitary. It looks bad and smells bad. With that said, it is up to all of us to put our part in combating this enemy. I can recommend that people carry poop-bags, and dog owners must make the supreme effort in not leaving dog-feces all over the freaking pavement.