Doggy doo is quite the problem.
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It’s in our suburbs and parks, along our paths, on our beaches and it’s on the bottom of our shoes, stuck in between the grooves.
People who don’t pick up after their dogs are on the list of the most annoying things done in public.
You know the list we mean. Top of that list are smokers who blow toxic smoke for others to choke on. Also on there are the impatient tailgaters and misbehaving children in cafes.
Other stars of the list are those who try to get on a bus or train before all the passengers get off. Those who talk loudly on their phones and drive slowly in the fast lane also qualify.
Doggy doo left behind in public spaces is one of the awkward realities of human coexistence with animals.
Sometimes people forget their doggy-doo bags, but others don’t bother with bags at all. Some leave dog-crap behind without a care in the world. They don’t seem to mind if the world goes to shit.
Cessnock City Council’s new campaign has a crack at taking on this apathy.
The campaign will involve large posters at bus shelters, along with social media posts on the council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
The posters are designed to get a reaction.
“Shit Happens. Bag it. Bin it. Move On,” one poster says.
Another shows a picture of a dead dog with the message: “No lead leads to trouble”.
The overarching theme is: “With love comes responsibility”.
“While the idea of owning a cute kitten or puppy appeals to most, there is a long list of things that need to be considered before taking the plunge,” a council statement said.
The council is reminding people that owning a pet is a lifelong commitment. This means desexing, microchipping, picking up after your pet and ensuring your dog is walked on a lead.
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent said pet ownership shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“A kitten or puppy is a responsibility for life. All too often we see animals neglected, abandoned and put in the pound and then they have to wait for someone to come along who is willing to give them a loving home. It is truly heartbreaking,” he said.
Lost Teddy
From dog poo to Winnie the Pooh. Has anyone lost a Piglet teddy?
Emma Nolan posted on Facebook that she found the weathered teddy on May 13 at John Hunter Hospital’s emergency department.
“Let’s get Piglet back to his home!” she wrote.
We can’t help but think of the Simpsons episode when Mr Burns lost his beloved childhood teddy bear, Bobo.
Turns out Bobo ended up in the hands of Hitler, who blamed the teddy for losing World War II and tossed him away.
Eventually, Mr Burns is reunited with Bobo. We can only hope that Piglet finds its rightful owner, too.
