Against Dog Excrement on the streets and public areas of The Hague, The Netherlands

Dear Mr. W.J. Deetman, mayor of The Hague; Gemeente Den Haag:

We the undersigned state our dissatisfaction with the high level of dog excrement on the streets of The Hague. We want to see dog owners held accountable for their pets litter. Accountability means, we want monetary fines to be actively issued by the City of The Hague to dog owners who fail to pick up their dogs litter. The time has come for The Hague police to be more active in enforcing the rules!

According to the report titled Contours for a Sustainable City eased by City of The Hague, Urban Management Department, Environment & Permits department. The report states that Many residents are concerned about the pollution (particularly litter and dog dirt) in the citys public areas; the city survey shows this every year. Clearly dog litter is an ongoing problem in The Hague area which is of concern to many city residents. The report continues to state that It is typical in this type of problem that the residents themselves are often the ones who cause the problem. The keys to solving this problem are increased awareness and a change in behavior.

The Environment Policy Plan says that the solution is related to changing residents behavior. Clearly by taking a walk on the streets of The Hague today, it is obvious that the citys current policy of changing behavior through education and advertising campaign is not working. Dog litter is everywhere on the streets and sidewalks of the city. Dog owners are commonly seen letting their dogs shit in public parks, where signs clearly stating dogs are not allowed. The only way to change bad behavior is to punish it! Just as parking violations, urinating in public are fined in the city, dog shitting must also be actively punished. The fines should be in turn used to finance the costs of keeping the city clean.

By simply taking a stroll any given morning or evening police officers can witness for themselves dozens of dog owners in any neighborhood of the city letting their dogs shit without picking up the excrement. Police Officers must actively fine down owners, as this is behavior is unacceptable! To change behavior penalties must be imposed stringently.

Not only is dog litter offensive to have to look at, but it is also dangerous to our children. Toxocara can stay in the ground for up to three years after the animal has fouled. Dog litter on the streets and parks of Royal City of The Hague is an embarrassment to visitors.

We, the residents of The Hague want to keep our city clean and dog-litter free!