MONROE — It costs the city about $1,600 a year to fill dispensers with bags to used pick up dog waste at the city’s 15 parks.
Because of budget cuts the past two years, it was harder to keep these dispensers full year-round. Parks and recreation had its staff reduced by half in that period.
Without the baggies, people stopped picking up after their dogs.
So, dog waste was piling up in parks, including places where children play.
This is where Wet Noses, a Monroe-based Internet store that sells products for pets, came in to help the city.
It is donating enough dog waste bags for all the dispensers for at least two years. The business is providing Monroe with $8,000 worth of bags, so the supply could last longer than two years, said director of parks and recreation, Mike Farrell.
“When Wet Noses approached us about the donation, we were really excited about that,” Farrell said.
The donation helps the company, too, because it will receive some exposure, Farrell said.
City employees have filled the parks’ dispensers with the bags, which are free to park users.
Dog waste can be a health hazard and can spill into the river when it rains, Farrell said.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
Bark park tips
Along with picking up after your dog, here are some other tips for dog owners when using parks:
• Be vigilant. Keep an eye on your dog at all times.
• Stay calm and talk softly. Loud commands could excite your dog and other dogs.
• Save toys and treats for later. Bringing them into the park could cause conflict with other dogs.
• Follow leash laws at all times.
www.dogwise.com
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