question for the expert

Q: If your working guide dog poops in public are you responsible for cleaning up after the dog?

A: The long and short tail of this is ….YES - if the guide dog user is aware that the dog has stopped and is possibly relieving himself, they are responsible for cleaning up. But… NO. If guide dog “sneaks one in” (and let me tell you, they can be good at this!) and you are not aware that they pooped then you are not aware so you can’t pick up. In this situation if you as a sighted person and you see this happen, as a good Samaritan you an either clean it up for them or you can show them where it is so that the guide dog user can clean it up. Now on the note of showing them, you cannot just decide to show them all piles that were left behind by “bad” dog owners! That would blindsiding them and would not be acceptable!!

This answer for Dan is – hmmm, why on earth would I have my cane with me if I was using the guide dog, a bit redundant don’t you think?… unless of course they start making the cane with a pooper scooper on the end – hey now there’s a patent idea for you!

Wags to you,
Arby