Environmental Health and my dog...? :(

rubytuesday

I used to have a roof garden in my old flat which was covered in tiles (turned out to be asbestos actually!:eek:) but I think I can visualise what you mean.

I think it's best just to try and clear the poop up ASAP as it is actually an offence for it to be left in a garden.

Must confess I need to do the rounds in mine but dog rarely poos in it.

It is recommended that dogs aren't left alone for longer than four hour periods but I expect many are but if someone could come in even a couple of times a week that would be better. Could your neighbour may be pop in?

Good luck with it x

GwylimT

blue_moon_fairie wrote: »

No it doesnt say anything in my tenancy agreement about it although i have cleared most of the stuff that was on there myself for safety do to the weight of everything that was left on the roof when i moved here, but it is for outside garden space, not for repair or maintenance ect, my dog is alot more sure footed than i so when he goes out there he has no problem whatsoever, as for a dogsitter....im a single parent there is no way i can afford sitting services or dog daycare, and hes not left in the garden all day long either as some people seem to assume he is, and again, its not an issue of not being able to pick it up, i do go out there and collect it up, and no personally i dont take a torch out with me when i walk him, i live in a built up town that is well lit i stick to the main roads when walking as the area i live isnt very pleasent if your a lone woman walking the streets at night,

If it isn't mentioned in your tenancy it is highly unlikely you have permission to use the area. Unfortunately if you cannot appropriately provide for a dog financially it is selfish to own one.

GwylimT

blue_moon_fairie wrote: »

Personally I would stop letting the dog use the area at all and take the dog on a lead down to the pavement when it needs to go out like thousands of other people around the country have to if the have dogs in flats.

yep that would be best.....except for the fact that i then have to dress a child for outside ect and get down a flight of stairs out of the flat and to the pavement all before my dog has to go.....or do you suggest i leave my child unattended in a house?....seriously i am trying my best,[/QUOTE]


I manage it perfectly fine with a toddler who had lots of medical equipment like an oxygen tank and a four year old, putting a coat and shoes on a child really isn't challenging, if you personally walk your dog then what do you normally do with your child when on walkies?

z.n

Some of the comments on here are very unsympathetic. It sounds to me OP as if you are doing the very best you can and have a well loved dog. However, the problem is not going to go away and you should focus on trying to find an alternative system that works for you. I have been thinking of things I would try:

Train the dog to poo on a command word-never managed it myself but I know people who have done it so you can be right there when he goes (and scoop). Or get yourself some very sensible non-slip footwear and install a good light. Get a long scoop (I use a horse poop a scoop) so you don't have to bend down/can stand securely while scooping. Use some artificial turf or similar to designate a poo area near the door. Keep the dog on a lead when you let it out 'to go' so you are not trekking around in the dark to find deposits. Maybe create a 'dry' area using some awning to make the area safer to walk round.

Collect the resulting bags/mess in a suitable container- a securely lidded bin or similar that you empty on your days off (not a nice job but at least the nastiness would be contained.) ie bag it up and get it into a temporary bin straight away.

Really not best to leave it lying around for days- he will be treading in it and bringing it indoors so potentially very nasty for your little one. Now the issue has been raised then you are at risk- more for the potential danger to your child than anything else.

Errata

the only attitude that i have is that ill do anything to keep my dog and child happy and healthy which is what i am trying my best to do,

In that case, get a powerful torch and clean up each time it defecates on someone else's roof. It's two minute job!

KentishLady

I am struggling to sympathise too much with the OP. Our dog gets comfort breaks 4 times a day - first thing in the morning, lunch, teatime and last thing at night. He is walked locally at these times to allow him to empty his bladder and poop if he needs to. Poop is picked up immediately and deposited in a poop bin or brought back to our rubbish bin (we have a steel rubbish bin which has a black bin liner in - once a week the bin bag is sealed and put out for collection).

In the rare event he is busting he is allowed to got in the garden - but we pick up straight away and put it in the rubbish bin. Because otherwise it stinks apart from anything else.

So issue number one re the environment health - you either pick up the poop straight away OR you take him downstairs and walk him and pick up as you go. Now env health are involved you really dont have much choice.

Issue number 2 (I cant find a nice way to say this - sorry) - two walks a day isnt really enough - it is unfair to expect your dog to hold his bladder for more than about 4 hours at a time. I'm going to be blunt - how many times do you go to the loo during your working day? Bet you go at least once during the time your dog is left on his own. If he was a baby I also bet you wouldnt leave him in the same nappy for 8+ hours at a time either.

Surely you must be able to find someone - a neighbour or friend or fellow dog owner who could help you out. Or what about looking into a dogshare scheme where people volunteer to look after your dog for free in return for the companionship? I'm sure if you google dogshare some schemes will come up.

KL

ripplyuk

A good premium dog food really does reduce the amount of waste produced. We found this out when we swapped our dog onto a cheaper brand. We soon swapped back!

OP, as long as you clear up the dog mess regularly, there will be no evidence for environmental health to do anything about.