New York Faces Surge in Dog Waste Complaints as Officials Push Education Over Enforcement
“It’s a quality-of-life issue that makes people angry because others are not picking up after their dogs.” — Julie Menin, New York City Council Speaker
A growing number of complaints about dog waste on city sidewalks and in public spaces is prompting New York officials to pursue new measures aimed at encouraging responsible pet ownership, as residents across several neighborhoods express frustration over what they describe as a worsening quality-of-life problem.
The issue has become particularly acute in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, where residents say dog waste has become increasingly common on sidewalks, near parks and around residential buildings.
According to city data cited by local officials, the community board that includes Washington Heights has recorded at least 175 dog waste complaints this year, the highest total among New York City’s community districts. The next highest district reported 116 complaints.
For residents such as Kumar Satya, who has lived in Washington Heights since 2017, the problem has become impossible to ignore despite the neighborhood’s otherwise vibrant atmosphere.Satya, a physician, said he values the area’s parks, active street life and strong sense of community.
Yet he believes the growing presence of dog waste has become a significant public nuisance.”I grew up in India, where open defecation is a problem,” Satya said. “This reminds me of that.”City officials say the increase in complaints reflects a broader trend that has emerged in recent years, driven in part by rising pet ownership.
The United States experienced a significant increase in dog ownership during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as many people sought companionship during periods of isolation.According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the number of pet dogs in the United States rose from approximately 76 million in 2016 to nearly 88 million in 2021.
The growth in dog ownership has coincided with rising reports of uncollected pet waste. Data provided by New York City show that complaints about dog waste increased from 2,100 in 2022 to 2,659 in 2025. More than 2,400 complaints had already been filed during the first months of 2026.
City officials partly attributed this year’s increase to winter weather. Snow accumulation during a major blizzard concealed waste for weeks before melting conditions exposed large amounts of accumulated dog feces.The issue extends beyond aesthetics. Public health experts have long noted that dog waste can contain bacteria, parasites and other pathogens.
During periods of heavy rainfall, contaminants from animal waste can enter drainage systems and local waterways, creating broader environmental concerns.Residents and dog owners say the causes vary. Some attribute the problem to inattentive owners distracted by phones or conversations, while others believe a minority of pet owners simply ignore their responsibilities.
Harry Berberian, a Brooklyn resident who owns a dog and works with a rescue organization, said he frequently observes owners failing to monitor their pets while walking through local parks.”I am one of those neighbors who goes out of my way to say something,” Berberian said, adding that conversations with offenders are often met with hostility.
In Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, residents have documented repeated incidents involving an individual whom neighbors say routinely leaves dog waste behind.Crystal Lee, a nurse and dog owner, said residents have confronted the individual and submitted evidence to city authorities.
Despite complaints and video recordings, she said enforcement efforts have yielded little result.”He has basically said, ‘F-you,'” Lee said of one confrontation.According to Lee, city sanitation officials responded to a complaint by reporting that an investigation had found no violation.”It’s just incredibly frustrating,” she said.New York has long been considered a pioneer in regulating pet waste.
In 1978, the city adopted the so-called Pooper-Scooper Law, becoming the first major U.S. city to require dog owners to remove waste left by their animals in public spaces.Violators can face fines of up to $250. However, officials acknowledge that enforcement remains difficult.
The Department of Sanitation reported conducting targeted patrols in neighborhoods including Washington Heights, Harlem, Morningside Heights and Flatbush in response to complaints filed through the city’s 311 system. Despite those efforts, enforcement officers rarely witnessed violations occurring in real time.
According to department figures, only two summonses were issued citywide during 2025.”The chances of someone not picking up after their dog while an enforcement officer is watching is very, very slim,” sanitation department spokesperson Vincent Gragnani said.
Recognizing the limitations of enforcement, city lawmakers are increasingly focusing on prevention and public education.Members of the New York City Council recently introduced the Safe and Clean Outdoor Ownership Practices Act, known as the SCOOP Act.
The legislation seeks to improve compliance through infrastructure improvements, public outreach and expanded access to dog waste disposal resources.
Among the proposals are requirements for agencies to regularly stock dog waste bag dispensers near litter baskets, install signage informing residents of penalties for violations, develop educational campaigns highlighting the environmental and health risks associated with dog waste, and explore pilot programs that would collect dog feces as part of composting initiatives.
Supporters argue that making cleanup easier and increasing public awareness may prove more effective than relying solely on fines.”There is no excuse when there are going to be these dog waste bags on litter baskets,” said City Council Speaker Julie Menin. “It’s not an enforcement approach.
It’s an education, awareness and deterrent approach.”Not all residents agree that education alone will solve the problem.Diane O’Dwyer, a Washington Heights resident and dog owner, believes stronger enforcement measures are necessary. She recalled witnessing a woman throw a sealed bag of dog waste into the street before entering a local convenience store.
Frustrated by the incident, O’Dwyer picked up the bag and tossed it back into the woman’s vehicle before leaving.She argues that meaningful deterrence requires a greater likelihood of penalties for repeat offenders and points to stricter enforcement practices she observed while living in the United Kingdom.
As city officials debate solutions, the issue has emerged as a broader discussion about urban living, civic responsibility and the challenges associated with growing pet ownership in densely populated neighborhoods.For many residents, the concern extends beyond inconvenience.
Sidewalks covered with animal waste affect public spaces used by families, children, elderly residents and dog owners who responsibly clean up after their pets.Whether through enforcement, education or infrastructure improvements, city leaders now face increasing pressure to address a problem that residents say has become one of New York’s most visible and persistent quality-of-life complaints.
