Pick Up After Your Pet, Officials Stress

By Kendra Bobowick

With an edge of frustration in her voice, First Selectman Pat Llodra said, “People are not cleaning up their mess.” Or more accurately, their dog’s mess.

Standing outside the municipal center alongside Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold, Mrs Llodra looked around at the Fairfield Hills campus — a popular spot to walk the dog. “It’s everywhere,” she said. Pick up after your pet, she stressed, and please use a leash.

“What more can I say to people?” she asked. Noting that people often leave their pets’ messes not only in passive recreation areas near trails, but on playing fields. “It’s so disrespectful,” she said.

She wants to be able to “continue to give the community that gift” of bringing their pets to the Fairfield Hills campus. Mrs Llodra suspects that carrying baggies may be inconvenient, but she is willing to provide more receptacles to dispose of dog waste. Both she and Ms Mangold, who noted that the problem is not just isolated to Fairfield Hills, but other public areas where dogs are allowed, both agreed, they need individuals to be responsible.

While dogs may be permitted on the Fairfield Hills campus, Ms Mangold stated they should not be on the baseball or soccer fields there or elsewhere in town. She took the chance to remind pet owners that a dog park is coming, and will offer a leash-free place for dogs to play. “The funds are being raised now, and the dogs will have their own facility,” she said.

For now, residents need to be mindful of what their pets may leave behind. “We need to be sure we’re all responsible for the health safety and enjoyment of all,” Ms Mangold said.

A flyer addressing Fairfield Hills visitors, which is available through the Parks and Recreation Department, reminds residents to keep dogs on a leash, clean up after their pets, and to keep them off of playing fields. The notice states: “The town strives to maintain a safe and beautiful campus for everyone’s use and enjoyment. In order to achieve this, the town will be enforcing the Animals on Town Property Ordinance…”

The ordinance requires leashes on dogs, and that pet owners pick up and solid waste that their pet leaves behind, and properly dispose of it. The police department will be enforcing this ordinance. Fines include first time offenses of $49, second offenses of $92, and third and subsequent offenses of $99.