Chapel Hill Won't Curb Dogs Just Yet

Some Chapel Hill officials had wanted to impose a $25 fine on dog walkers who refuse to properly dispose of their pets' deposits. Many thought the legislation would pass, but now it won't even be considered until the end of summer, after the council's break.

"It is a cotton-picking mess if you run your lawn mower over it," said Cary resident Charles Dreher.

Dreher placed a sign in his yard to defend it from doggie droppings. He says it doesn't always work.

"A lot of people just don't understand," said Dreher. "One lady told me that her dog had to go somewhere. I said, 'Ma'am, why don't you let her go in your own yard?'"

In Chapel Hill, the ordinance was the final item on council's Monday night agenda, and they simply didn't get to it.

"If people don't have pets, and have a well-kept yard, neighbors should respect this and pick up after their pets," says Pat Sanford of Orange County Animal Protection Service.

The man in charge of enforcing Raleigh's dog waste law says thar city has issued only one ticket since the law went on the books 14 years ago. He still thinks the law helps.

"If we can get 10 to 15 percent of the people that understand that code and that they do have to pick up behind their animal, we've accomplished a goal to some degree," said Joe Blomquist of Raleigh Animal Control. "That has happened in Raleigh."

In Raleigh, a violator is cited only if the owner is observed leaving his pet's droppings behind, and if the person who reports the offense has an additional witness.