Is there anything more inconsiderate and disgusting than dog owners leaving bags of their canine’s poo on the ground for others to pick up? Photo: Tim Gavel.
There’s plenty to be frustrated about during the COVID-19 lockdown in Canberra. A scan of social media tells you as much.
Vaccinations, home schooling, business closures, not being able to see family and friends across the border, no organised sport, no golf, people not wearing masks, people getting too close – it’s all getting too much for many people.
Some have taken it a step further by reporting kids playing on trampolines without masks during the lockdown.
Sport has provided something of an escape, with the Olympics and Paralympics to watch on television.
But Canberrans have had plenty of time to take to social media to voice concerns about the Raiders failure to make the finals, and the Wallabies have had plenty of attention as they continue to come a distant second to the All Blacks.
But in Canberra suburbia, there is an issue creating significant angst which has the potential to trump much of the above.
It would appear little at the moment creates as much anger as the sight of small bags of dog poo left on the footpath, at the entrance to mountains, or on grassed areas along footpaths.
They are easily identifiable, usually green, blue or black in colour.
If nothing else, it’s an eyesore. But it’s also incredibly inconsiderate and disgusting. It’s almost as if there is an expectation of a government-run collection service throughout the city and reserves, in a similar manner to the collection of green and yellow lidded rubbish bins.
This morning I came across a man confronting anybody with a dog along his street demanding to know if they were responsible for leaving a green bag full of dog poo on his front lawn.
Mount Ainslie’s walking tracks are humming with people and their dogs, which is to be expected as it’s a great way to exercise during lockdown. Most people are conscious of others and leave no trace they have been there, while some others feel it’s OK to drop their bag of dog poo rather than carry it back and place it in the general waste bin.
Judging by social media, this behaviour is not confined to the inner north and it appears to have become a growing problem across Canberra with greater pet ownership during COVID-19.
It’s not confined to Canberra, either.
On the NSW South Coast during the summer influx of visitors with their four-legged companions, it has become a constant source of anger.
Many locals blame visitors, although it appears there is little reduction in the problem when holidaymakers head home.
I’ll admit this is not one of the most significant issues in the world – not by a long stretch – but it simply adds another layer to the angst being experienced by many people during the COVID-19 lockdown in Canberra.
Loading ...
