Union City Borough Council hears complaint about dog feces

By Mary Ann Mook

People not picking up after their dogs was a subject of discussion when one citizen spoke to Union City Borough Council during council’s meeting on Tuesday.

Stacy Bedow told council that her husband, Jason, likes to go fishing, but with trout season opening April 4, he is concerned that people won’t want to fish in French Creek in the area behind the Union City Municipal Authority due to excess dog feces.

“There is a sign when you come into town that says ‘French Creek a Community Treasure,’ but near French Creek behind the municipal authority, people are not cleaning up after their dogs,” Bedow said. “Can you say something?”

Council said they are well aware that people don’t pick up after their dogs.

“We have for years, but it falls on deaf ears,” council President Riley Cross said.

People allow their dogs to defecate on the sidewalks, in the parking lot and in the area where the former diner was located. There has been so much dog feces, the borough has had the fire department and streets department remove it.

Council believes some of the offenders are people staying at the Congdon Hotel. The owner of the Congdon has been contacted about it, but nothing has been done.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells said if someone does not pick up after his or her dog, it has to be reported to police immediately to identify the offender.

Bedow asked if, when her husband is out fishing and sees someone not cleaning up after their dog, he can make a video and turn it in. Council said yes.

“When you have the responsibility of a pet, you should have the responsibility of cleaning up its waste,” Cross said.

Councilwoman Melissa Winkler agreed.

“If they can’t do it, hire someone to do it if they’re too lazy,” Winkler said.

Borough Ordinance 1168 regulates animals, animal refuse and animal noises.

The ordinance states: “No owner and/or handler shall allow an animal under his or her control to be upon public property, including the streets, roadways and/or sidewalks within the borough’s boundaries or property owned by a person other than the owner and/or handler of the animal, without possessing a device for the removal and containment of the animal’s excrement, nor shall any owner and/or handler fail to remove any excrement deposited by any animal under his or her control. If an owner is physically or mentally unable to remove and contain his or her animal’s excrement, the owner shall employ, engage or designate, with permission a handler to do so.”

The ordinance states the fines for not cleaning up after a pet, but Cross said there has to be irrefutable evidence before someone is accused.

According to the ordinance, the first time someone ignores the rules, they would be issued a warning letter from the Union City Police Department.

If there is a second offense, a $50 fine is imposed; a third offense carries a $100 fine; and a fourth offense carries a $300 fine. A fifth and subsequent offense could impose a fine of up to $1,000.

Additional costs and attorney fees could be added to any offense the dog’s owner or handler faces.

Union City Police Chief David Pernice said the offender has to be caught in the act, and the department can always use the public’s help.

“If someone sees something, they can record it and bring it in and we’ll look at it,” Pernice said.