# Why isn't there a law against dogs peeing/pooping in other people's yards? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 16, 2007, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765 "2007-08-16T01:20:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/41 "2015-03-15T18:02:32Z")
There’s a rumor that bears do this in the woods. Arrest them bastids! ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/42 "2015-03-17T21:30:12Z")
What about if my dog lifts his leg to one of the bushes at the edge of someone’s lawn? I suppose, technically, my dog is not on the owner’s private property (he’s standing on the sidewalk, which is an easement), but his weewee ends up on private property (the owner’s shrubbery). ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/43 "2015-03-17T21:49:47Z")
Simple solution: rub the pet owner’s nose in the mess and tell hir “No!” in a firm voice. Works like a charm and is actually less work than beating both pet and owner into a vegetative coma with a garden spade. You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/44 "2015-03-18T00:36:47Z")
> [@stirdontshake](#): > > You , obviously love to live in a clean environment. I bet you love when you open window and you smell a fresh air. Right? So, what makes you think that others should smell the urine? You are making assumptions. I’ve had anosmia for the past ten years or so. But even before that, and even earlier, before we had a dog, what is annoying you would not have bothered me. > [@](#): > > Otherwise, walk with your dog and carry a pile of water mixed with bleach and start washing. I recently returned from Taiwan, where, outside city centers, dogs roam free as they did when I grew up, in the United States, in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Some Taiwanese dog owners do pick up their fair share of feces, but your concern with urine would be absurdly impractical. I suspect this is more or less true of most countries in which dog ownership is common. I suspect you live is one of the countries where dog owners almost always clean up feces left by their dogs. If so, you are better off than most. Not to criticize Taiwanese suburbanites who let their canines roam, but this seems to me a reasonable compromise between dog owners and those with smell sensitivity. I suppose it won’t help to point out how much better a smell environment you have than most people on this planet, and your grandparents. ---
**Author:** ![stirdontshake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@stirdontshake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stirdontshake)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/45 "2015-03-30T20:42:28Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > You are making assumptions. I’ve had anosmia for the past ten years or so. But even before that, and even earlier, before we had a dog, what is annoying you would not have bothered me. > ((((((Then if you have an insomnia , take Rozepam, Moron! Why don’t you scoop the feces of your dog and smell it all night, works charm. I guarantee that you will sleep like a baby)))))) > I recently returned from Taiwan, where, outside city centers, dogs roam free as they did when I grew up, in the United States, in the 1950’s and 1960’s. > (((((((You should have stayed there, and smell their feces all they along. That’s your heaven!))))). Why return to the USA? This is to sanitary for you))))))) > Some Taiwanese dog owners do pick up their fair share of feces, but your concern with urine would be absurdly impractical. I suspect this is more or less true of most countries in which dog ownership is common. > > I suspect you live is one of the countries where dog owners almost always clean up feces left by their dogs. Yes, I certainly do!If so, you are better off than most. > (((((I don’t care about the third world exotic countries. Let them rot themselves!)))) > I suppose it won’t help to point out how much better a smell environment you have than most people on this planet, and your grandparents. ((((Yes, I grow up in a clean environment, which cannot be said about the trash like you. When was the last time you washed your underwear? Go and wash them and then leave your stink for your mother/father drank parents.))) What is wrong with the U.S.? Trash, which you are one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/46 "2015-03-30T20:54:09Z")
Don’t worry, that was plenty clear. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/47 "2015-03-30T21:09:46Z")
> [@stirdontshake](#): > > Then if you have an insomnia , take Rozepam, Moron! … What is wrong with the U.S.? Trash, which you are one of them. [Moderator Hat ON] I realize you are new here, but please read the rules at the top of this forum. Personal insults are NOT allowed outside the Pit. [Moderator Hat OFF] ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/48 "2015-03-30T21:20:30Z")
> [@stirdontshake](#): > > ((((Yes, I grow up in a clean environment, which cannot be said about the trash like you. When was the last time you washed your underwear? Go and wash them and then leave your stink for your mother/father drank parents.))) What is wrong with the U.S.? Trash, which you are one of them. We don’t allow insults on the SDMB. If you must insult others please do so in our BBQ Pit forum. Dang, Gaudere got here first! ---
**Author:** ![stirdontshake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@stirdontshake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stirdontshake)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/49 "2015-03-30T21:31:12Z")
Yes, one more point. You have a dog and you are making idiotic excuses for not cleaning after your animals.? I tell you what you do, let your dog poop and urinate right near your door , window, your porch. Why don’t you sniff it all? Why not? Why go and make other people place anti-sanitary. Make your own place a public toilet. i guarantee in no time you will have rodents, cockroaches, flies invading your home. Yap, that’s going to be fun! ---
**Author:** ![stirdontshake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@stirdontshake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stirdontshake)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/50 "2015-03-30T21:35:26Z")
I say that all those that make their dogs poop and urinate and not cleaning up. I would make them wash it all with their own bare hands. That would teach them a lesson for life ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/51 "2015-03-30T21:43:59Z")
After 8 years, though, the poop is gone. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/52 "2015-03-30T21:45:33Z")
I burning your dog poop! ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/53 "2015-03-30T23:21:00Z")
> [@stirdontshake](#): > > I say that all those that make their dogs poop and urinate and not cleaning up. I would make them wash it all with their own bare hands. That would teach them a lesson for life I have a suggestion for you. Invest every penny you have in a company that makes doggie diapers. You’ll clean up, in a matter of speaking. ---
**Author:** ![stirdontshake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@stirdontshake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stirdontshake)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/54 "2015-03-31T14:38:11Z")
I tell you what I would do, instead of investing on the company that does the diapers for dogs, I would invest for the company that would smash the dog owners inside of the poop and urine and force them lick the sidewalk until it sparkly shine. I am suggesting, you got the dog, let it relive itself on your porch, sidewalk, near your window. Better yet-in your apartment. let the aroma fill the air. Good luck, as you will get absolute “cuties” knocking on your door- rodents, cockroaches, flies, and possible, yes , baby, bedbugs! Yes, fun in the city, fun in the city tonight, oh , ye!!! ---
**Author:** ![stirdontshake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@stirdontshake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stirdontshake)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/55 "2015-03-31T14:43:06Z")
You have to use your brain and think where will you be going with your dog to do its biological needs. This doesn’t mean that you should make a toilet for your dog in the places where people live. GET your dog outta to the place at least a mile away from the building. Nobody supposed to smell the excrement. Can’t do that? Let your dog urinate near your window. Smell the fresh aroma! It would be nice if humans would start poop and piss in front of your windows. See how you like that!!! You should have thought before you were getting a dog. ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/56 "2015-03-31T15:37:47Z")
When I was in college I lived in cheapo apartments across the street from campus. I was in the ground floor unit and the people above me had a pit bull type dog. He was amazingly quiet but the problem was they were lazy and just put him out on their balcony for potty breaks instead of walking him. It made the whole area in front of our building smell pretty horrible. Fortunately, they moved out after a couple months. I asked some online friends recently for their experience with those Doody Calls dog waste cleaning services with the idea that I would suggest it to my HOA. We have a very dog friendly neighborhood and I’m appalled at how many people don’t clean up after their dogs so I thought maybe installing bag/waste bin cleaning stations here and there around the neighborhood would solve the problem. My friends said that in their experience, people will make a bigger mess around the waste stations than the original problem, and still not pick up after their dogs. That’s pretty pathetic that people are like that! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/57 "2015-04-04T21:17:15Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > You want a law prohibiting others from giving you free fertilizer? The dung of animals that eat meat shouldn’t be used as fertilizer. It can actually be dangerous to your health. Only people who let their cows poop on your property are doing you any favors. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/58 "2015-04-14T13:29:05Z")
Even though this is a bit of a zombie thread, I still haven’t seen one point made. Easement. I live in the city of Minneapolis, MN. The boulevard (the area between the public sidewalk and the street) does have an easement for public use on it.\* Meaning that although the property owner must maintain the area (as well as the sidewalk for that matter), it’s completely within the public realm to utilize the space. After that, there are two main rules for the dogs. [1-They must be leashed. 2-The feces must be cleaned up (urine is not mentioned).](https://www.municode.com/library/#!/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT4ANFO_CH64DOCAFERA) That’s why, if you tried the “get your dog off my lawn” when they’re on the boulevard, you’ll get the eye roll here. [\*In fact, Minneapolis has some weird easement rules which could extend on to a person’s/business’s property up to 13 feet from the curb.](http://www.rebeccalaw.net/2011/your-front-yard/) ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/59 "2015-04-14T15:39:09Z")
A further note - > [@Magiver](#): > > Go to your local warehouse club and buy an industrial can of cayenne pepper. Refresh the area as needed. Now I can’t get rid of the chihuahuas. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765/60 "2015-04-14T16:17:13Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Even though this is a bit of a zombie thread, I still haven’t seen one point made. Easement. Not since August 07 at least! 😉 Running across this thread made me curious enough to look up my local code. **Chapter 13 - ANIMAL CONTROL 13.21 - Prohibited acts. It shall be unlawful for any person who has in his custody or control any animal: (a) To permit any animal to enter or remain upon the premises of another within the City without the consent of the owners. . . . (c) To permit any animal to run uncontrolled or to trespass on private or public property. (d) To permit any animal to damage or destroy any property. . . . (s) To cause or permit an animal to be on any property, public or private, not owned or possessed by the person in control of such animal, unless such person removes excrement and disposes of same in a proper waste receptacle.** I find the phrasing of (s) curious, unless “to be” is some euphemism for piss or shit. Gives new meaning to Hamlet’s soliloquy. But, it seems pretty clear that in Elmhurst IL, at least, there is sufficient basis for property owner’s who have no greater concerns to object to a pet setting food (or scat) on their front lawns. Wonder what the municipal response would be to someone seeking enforcement? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-law-against-dogs-peeing-pooping-in-other-peoples-yards/415765.md?page=4)