Give A Hoot, Don't "Poo" lute!

Pet waste can be a nuisance.

The board of alderman has set forth plans to start enforcing city ordinance No. 3134121L, labeled the Sanitary Disposal of Animal Feces Required. Among residents here in Louisville, this is more commonly known as the "pooper-scooper" law.

The ordinance was passed three years ago with a vote of 7-1, but has since never been enforced.

It was passed not only because dog feces is a nuisance, but because there is a possibility that it contains worm larvae that could infect humans and make people very ill with a variety of diseases centered in the intestinal tract that may even result in death in serious cases. "A variety of diseases."

Not one individual citizen has been cited, let alone convicted, for violating this ordinance. So, why such the push to enforce now? What could have possibly happened?

Well, when First Ward Alderman Manley Alzerhansky was walking to get his paper the other day, he received an unexpected gift when he stepped in dog feces that was left in his front yard. As funny as this sounds, imagine if you were you.

Alzerhansky is the one that introduced this ordinance three years ago, and for the life of him, he can't understand why we have laws when they are not enforced. Who really likes to walk out in their yard and have this happen to them? Laws are there for our protection.

Police Chief Karen Ulmer has a history with this specific topic, and understands the relationships dog owners have with their companions. For this reason she has proposed a one-month educational period during which the city's dog owners will be informed that the ordinance will be enforced.

Owners will be provided with information about what they need to do to adhere to the ordnance's provisions. Information is available online at www.louisville.gov/pooperscooperlaw, or call 502-555-9876 for all questions directed towards these provisions.

The ordinance requires dog owners who walk or exercise their dogs to carry a "suitable device" for cleaning up their dogs feces.There are a number of different contraptions you can use. You have to find something that works for you. A proper scoopers may be bought here for as low as $5.

The ordinance carries a fine of $25 to $100 for people who don't clean up after their dogs, but guide dogs for the blind are exempt.