Pick up the poo: Tempe seeks to remove animal defecation from public right-of-ways
Mar 29, 2016, 5:30 AM
PHOENIX — Something is stinking up Tempe — and no, it’s not from the draining of Tempe Town Lake.
Tempe City Council member Kolby Granville is concerned with animal defecation in public areas around the city — so concerned, in fact, that he proposed expanding a city ordinance that already requires owners to clean up after their pets in city parks and on school grounds.
“We have gotten emails from residents who say, ‘Look, I watch my neighbor walk the dog every single day past my house, and every single day — for some reason — the sidewalk in front of my house is where the dog pulls the trigger,'” he said. “And the person walks away everyday.”
However, Granville said he is proposing the ordinance should also apply to common areas and public right-of-ways.
“There are others that use that sidewalk and you have an obligation to keep that sidewalk relatively clean,” he said.
Under the ordinance, residents would be able to report violations when they see pets doing this duty in public.
The proposal will be heard at a city council study session on Tuesday, but no final decision will be made. The council will open the idea up to the public for input before making any final decisions.
KTAR News’ Brian Rackham contributed to this report.
