From Jocelyn Kline

Monroe

To the Editor:

It’s great Monroe is such a big dog town! So, let’s talk POOP!

Like any good pet owner, one of my pet peeves is people who do not think they need to pick up after their dog. My dogs and I sometimes walk in and around the downtown square. On any given day I see piles of dog poop on the grassy areas and even on the sidewalks. I have even noticed that someone even potties their dog on the grassy areas around the new 11th street parking area. Come on people! 

Yesterday we ventured to the trail by Twining Park, a beautiful trail and enjoyed by many with and with out dogs. It’s the same story, poop all over. I asked a friend if she takes her dogs to Forest Prairie Park. She said that didn’t go there because it was so full of poop. Some try to excuse it away by saying “it’s a totally biodegradable substance and will decompose, but did you know our dogs can and do get sick from sniffing and being around an infected dogs dropping?

I realize some people don’t care about picking up after their dogs, but if we don’t at some point clean up and keep Monroe the beautiful place it is, the city will make these areas off limits to dogs. Wouldn’t that be a shame?

Please be a good canine citizen and enjoy time with your buddy, but also think about others and your safety as well. All it would take is carrying an extra plastic bag (they make these biodegradable too), and it’s easy to find a waste receptacle.

Thanks for doing your part from Bucky and EmmiLou, they love our walks in and around the square and appreciate a clean place to have fun.