Commentary, Opinion

Scoop it

January 22, 2026   ·   0 Comments

To the Editor,

I’d like to address a growing issue in Tottenham that has become impossible to ignore — mostly because we’re all trying very hard not to step in it. Yes, I’m talking about the dog poop decorating our sidewalks, lawns, and the areas around local businesses like some kind of unwanted modern art installation.

Let’s be honest: if you’re walking your dog and not picking up after it, you’re simply being a jerk to the rest of the community. There’s no polite way to phrase it. It’s lazy, it’s rude, and it shows an utter disregard for your neighbours. Imagine walking out your front door in the morning, coffee in hand, only to find a steaming surprise on your lawn — right where your kids or grandkids play. Not exactly the kind of “fresh air” Tottenham is known for.

And before anyone claims it’s “inconvenient,” let’s review the facts. There are garbage bins all over town. New Tecumseth even provides dog waste pickup in the green bins. Bags are cheap, tiny, and weigh less than a feather. This is not a Herculean task. If you can hold a leash, you can hold a bag.

Leaving dog waste behind doesn’t just look disgusting — it makes our town look neglected. It’s embarrassing for residents, unpleasant for visitors, and unfair to the businesses trying to keep their storefronts clean. We all share these sidewalks and green spaces. They don’t magically belong to “someone else” just because your dog chose them as a bathroom.

So please, for the love of community, decency, and the soles of our shoes: pick up after your dog. It takes 10 seconds and prevents 10 times the frustration. Tottenham is a great place to live — let’s keep it that way.

Don’t be a jerk. Scoop the poop.

And yes, I am a dog owner who picks it up.

Steve B.

New Tecumseth

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