Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Bellevue says scoop it, or else

Not cleaning up after Fido could cost $300 or 30 days in jail

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By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

The laws of nature allow dogs to do their business whenever and wherever they choose to. But a new law in Bellevue says the dog's owner better clean it up, or pay a big fine.

"We wanted to do something about this before it really hit the fan," said Councilman Chris Koch.

The Bellevue City Council amended its nuisance ordinance last week to include fines for leaving dog poop on public or private property. The fine for not cleaning up after your dog (or the one you are walking for someone else) begins at $300, or 30 days in jail.

Bellevue Marshall Ron Taylor brought forward the ordinance change to the council after getting complaints from citizens.

"We are not going to slap down on this," Taylor said. "We just want people to know this is the ordinance."

Taylor said walking a dog with plastic bags in one's pocket for cleaning up the inevitable mess is the way to go.

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"As long as you poop scoop you are good," he said.

"A lot of people do the right thing and clean up after their animals," City Administrator Tom Blanchard said. "But there are some regular offenders out there who let their dogs go wherever. It's a real nuisance, especially in the greenbelt along the river."

Blaine County has a similar "poop ordinance," as do the cities of Hailey and Ketchum.

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com