Volunteers frustrated by 'appalling' dog poo bags left on Adelaide trails

Popular walking trails in and around Adelaide are becoming blighted by discarded dog waste bags, much to the frustration of volunteers and environmental groups. These bags, often tied and left on paths, tree stumps, or even hanging from branches, are a common sight.

“

It's appalling

While some dog owners may intend to retrieve the bags later, many are forgotten, leaving others to deal with the mess. Wendy Bevan, chief executive of Keep South Australia Beautiful, described the situation as "appalling." She stressed that responsible dog ownership includes carrying waste bags and taking them home if no bin is available.

“

If you have a dog and you go for a walk, you take your dog poo bags with you. If you cannot find a bin, you take them home with you.

"It's part of having a dog, isn't it?" Bevan questioned, suggesting owners should use larger bags or attach the waste to their dog's lead if carrying it is inconvenient. She also noted that while many modern dog waste bags are compostable, they require proper disposal in green bins to break down, not to be left exposed on the ground.

“

It's part of having a dog, isn't it?

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment and Water confirmed that leaving bags of dog faeces in national parks constitutes "littering." Compostable bags need specific conditions to decompose and should not be left in natural areas. Offenders can face fines, with penalties reviewed as part of legislative reforms. Ron Bellchambers, a community project officer, observed a significant increase in dumped bags during 2020, coinciding with COVID-19 restrictions that led to more people using outdoor trails.

“

Compostable bags require specific conditions to break down and should not be left in parks or natural areas.