Shouldn't they have to clean up their back yards? I doubt that they are zoned for manure storage.

A Madison Police officer cited two neighbors for disorderly conduct last week following a dispute over dog feces. It all began when Nina Bell, age 56, came out of her apartment and discovered a large pile on the walkway to her unit. She knew it too big to be from her dog, so she shoveled it up and dumped on the stoop of her neighbor - Arnessa Battles, age 38 figuring the mess must have come from Battles' dog. There is some dispute over how exactly the situation escalated from this point, but what is clear is that when the officer arrived the women had shoveled up lots of feces. Bell dumped on Battles’ car. Battles dumped Bell’s car. A police report notes: "Both the green Saturn and the beige Oldsmobile had large amounts of dog feces piled and smeared across their windshields." During the flinging of the feces some ended up on Bell's clothes, and before the battle was over both women had squared off with the shovels, although neither delivered an actual blow to the other. The officer observed that the entire backyard was covered in a winter's worth of dog defecation made much more obvious with the melting snow. There are three dogs in the apartment building: a pit bull, a Border collie, and a Rottweiler. The officer said it was impossible to determine which went where. In the end, he negotiated a verbal agreement wherein both women agreed to have their respective canines do their “doo” on their owner's side of the backyard.

sweet....., as far as I'm concerned, the dog walkers ARE doing the pooping.

I bet if it was a normal person who took a poop on the trails it would be a problem then lol How about we all take a dump right by the dog owners sidewalk or porch, that way they know how it feels to clean up other peoples poo. haha

How about setting up some a few of those deer cams along the trails and having Crimestoppers put any photos of dog-owners who fail to scoop up on those electronic billboards? Trail users could contribute to Crimestoppers award fund to get the offenders identified, or offenders could confess and pay a fine to get their faces off the billboards.

Perhaps businesses would donate the cams in exchange for mention on the billboards. "This week's photo of Harvey Dufus watching Muttley do his duty and leaving it on the trail is courtesy of Kitty Korner - Janesville's premeire pet store."

And, garyprimer, the 8th Amendment only prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. I think a little nose-rubbing sounds like an appropriate punishment. I'd extend it to include jerks who empty their car ashtrays in business parking lots as well.

How about the idiots who do bag and then think they can just toss the bag beside the trail? When's the last time you saw the poop fairy fly by and collect those treats?

People walking there dog's seem to turn blind eye to what there dog is doing. I suppose that's why they take there dog for a walk so they do not have to clean up after them

woody, everything you said means that you should be out cleaning up everybody else's crap! Nice bitchin', by the way.

This topic is fertile ground for some exaggerated commentary and some not-so embellished observations. Stepping into this stuff is like stepping into a political power position, once you're in it you can't do anything about it but direct the way it" squishes". Keep on skating Janesville!

Way to go Gary....when do you start?

Problem solved. We have a volunteer to clean up the trails.

This blog is the prime example why they call this "generation Me". The runners bitch about the walkers, the walkers bitch about the bikers, the bikers bitch about runners, the runners bitch about the dog owners, the dog owners bitch about anyone that bitches.

I clean up after my dogs and in the Spring time, there is extra poop from all Winter. Why not organize a trail clean up day? Make it a positive thing instead of just a bitch thing. I clean up after what others leave behind every year. If your not part of the solution, your part of the problem.

"This is a warning to those who be using the trail system." Oh yeah? What be dat?

MrNegative, if you don't see it as a problem, you should make your yard a dog park!!!

Hey Mr. Negative, If you want to go home and scrape dog poop off of your shoes after a run on the trail, be my guest. I don't blame people for not wanting to dodge that crap, they shouldn't have to. The dog owners need to pick up after their pets.

I have ridden the trails since they were put in and have never had a big problem with dog waste on the trail. Way over the top on how you indicate that this is a serious problem. If you see one accident in 20 miles of biking, it is the exception. Perhaps the short section you use has a local issue.

As far as someone going 20 miles per hour on the trail, they deserve to land in any pile there may be out there. Its a recreational bike trail not a race course If you can sustain 20mpg, take off your training wheels and go ride the roads like the big boys do. You see way too many grown men yelling at little kids to get out of the way so they can race on the trail.

Remember that the trail was not put in just so you don't get your new shoes dirty Steve. It is meant for everyone to use. The vast majority of dog owners are more responsible then you think.

The dog owners apparently need to have their noses rubbed into it so that the next time they will recognize it. I do not advocate this method for training dogs, but I think that it would be highly effective with humans. If only it wasn't for that pesky eighth amendment.

Really Steve? Your blog is horrible. I run the trail everyday along with the sidewalks that get me there. I expect obstacles like doggie doo-doo and I avoid it. It's not that hard. Please, your Highness, tell us your direct running route so your beloved City of Janesville can sprinkle it with rose pedals. Get a life.

And the dog walkers who carry bags and scopes: most of them only pickup if they see someone nearby; if no one is nearby, they just leave it. They view the world beyond their property lines as nothing more than a toilet for their dogs.

PBRMan that is a good one.

The dog owners who don't clean up their waste (yes, THEIR waste) are exhibiting a slobbish aggression on the world at large and especially the world of their friends, family, and neighbors.

This is a health issue and a quality of life issue -especially on our trails and in our parks. THERE should be a campaign brought before the police department and the city council regarding this matter!

At least it's not chicken crap. lmao

The dog owners who don't clean up their waste (yes, THEIR waste) are exhibiting a slobbish aggression on the world at large and especially the world of their friends, family, and neighbors.

This is a health issue and a quality of life issue -especially on our trails and in our parks. Their should be a campaign brought before the police department and the city council regarding this matter!

Added tid-bit: Print it in Spanish also. If we had the funds, a motion-detected Video Screen with Steve advocating the proper use and rules and guidelines for trail patrons at kiosks.
Helecopter surveillance, pooper-police, waste-managment consultants, boobie-traps for wayward walkers, by wayward I mean stay on the right side of the path.
A Bike Trail Shirt buy-in program to help support maintaining the trail$. Monogramed and in a highly visible color with reflectors.
Dog whistles. Oh the list could go on.
Just some thought into a worn out badgering by a bike trail user that is discusted with how others act inappropriately.

Well? Good to start the open season on TSM'z. (Oh, thats Trail Side Mines- for the military minded.)
The complaint level with the trails is abundant during the warmer months. It may be a good time to lead it off with a re-education for many of the folks that do-not read the local newpaper. "But, Prey-tel How do we do this?" You may ask...
I give this a serious thought every year as I see violations, rude inconsiderate trail patrons, and our faithfull mans' best friends utilizing the trail. {No, I won't go into the title-of-the-trail: Bike Trail.}However, it does have merit.
There are mile markers, and rest points that a posting could be established at. Some of the information in or on those are years outdated. A refreashing of these enclosures, and additional rules for the trail, areas where dogs ARE allowed, may actually be suitable for Spring 2010.
How about a Local Trail Curtousy Contest? An inviting and challenging approach to creating awareness of the trails. (A give away two tickets to some function or dinner.) Prompt alertness, inform the uninformed, and awaken the stubborn violators.
Heres another thought, gets a bit tedious dodging thoughtless folks, unleashed unmanagable dogs, ear-budded individuals that can't see the line painted in the middle-as in roadways ignoramouses. This year I am running them down/ I have a fair but crappy bike I don't care about. That should work. <grin>.
So, next time I am doing about 20 mph on the BIKE TRAIL, and some useless, smug, inconsiderate soul is at their best; do not always think The Other Guy will have to make due. All I am going to see this year is Bullseyes. Smerk.

That is not dog poop on the bottom of your shoe, but the promises of our government for hope and change.....

I agree Steve. I walk on the Peace Trail along the Rock River. This section of trail is open to dogs all year and I love seeing the dogs out getting their exercise and meeting them. But the trail is full of poop, on the trail and off to the sides. Owners are suppose to pick up after their dogs, even if it is in the grass. Some people step onto the grass to let others by. If you are going to walk your dog, pick up after it. Its the law. If some day down the road the city gets enough complaints about the dog waste, and they close the trail to dogs, owners should not be suprised. It will be the fault of those owners who can't be bothered to clean up after their dogs. Its also not healthy for your dog to be stepping into other dogs poop. Its gets in their paws and they lick it out. Then lick your face. Think about it.