Alderwoman Peggy Bull reminds us in yesterday's Freeman that with the coming spring thaw some of us with pets may be facing a mess in the yard and what a problem it could be for our health and waterways. The article went on to say that the city issued around 2000 dog licenses last year. I'll tell you right now there's far more than 2000 dogs in Waukesha and probably several times that.

The article then points out an obscure ordinance no one with pets would know: "By ordinance, the owner ... of the property is to pick up any dog waste within 24 hours. Even if it wasn't left by your dog, but by someone walking their dog who hasn't picked up after it, it's the property owner's responsibility to clean it up." When the ordinance was drafted it was probably copied from a community with the law already in place. A warm-weather community. 

I'll tell you right now that, except for our walks, I haven't picked up the yard after Sir Fido in months. How could I? If it's not too dark to see after work, then snow has fallen and covered it up. If not snow, maybe it rained and froze it to the ground.

So every day when I wade through the snowbanks hunting for a fresh pile... Suppose I find something, then what? Another bright ordinance tell us we can't throw it away in the garbage. We can't just not throw away dog waste but any animal waste. We're not only supposed to pick it up but pick it up every day then not throw it away. Makes sense.

What's the recommendation? "Day and the Wisconsin DNR website recommend finding an out-of-the-way spot in your yard to bury dog waste..." I'll get right on it.

I know Alderwoman Bull had nothing to do with these ordinances, but one has to wonder who passed these? Were they pet owners? I pretty sure it's possible to change the trash hauling contract to accept pet waste. It may cost more or require special bags but if we're required to pick it up every day year round in Wisconsin then I think we should be able to throw it away. Maybe if the city got after all the owners of unlicensed pets or if it charged a pet waste disposal fee to pet owners the money could be found to change the contract.