[SteveZ]

I've got two dogs (Smooth Fox Terrier and a Lakeland Terrier). Walking the dogs is a joy for a "dog person." and trips away from the house always include plastic bags "just in case" something happens.

Dog walks are supposed to be a social time, and not centered as a canine bathroom-break. For the dog that's penned inside all day, and brought out of the house solely for a walk to allow the dog to relieve itself, I can't blame the short critter at the ground-end of the leash for the insensitivity of the taller critter at the handle-end. That's why having a courtyard villa and a dog door going out to the courtyard made so much sense to me. It definitely makes walks more pleasurable for all.

Are there inconsiderate dog owners? Sure, there are! I would like to think they are the exception to the rule, comprising a small minority for the sake of the canine population. Like anything, it's always the small minority that tend to get the majority of the attention.

For fellow dog owners, those folk who don't appreciate any critter - canine, human or otherwise - defecating on their yards are correct in voicing their displeasure. Please appreciate that other's property is theirs and no one has an easement to use other's property in that manner. If you walk your dog solely to allow it to relieve itself on other's property, don't be surprised with your neighbor retaliates in kind.

For fellow property owners, please accept that accidents do happen despite the best of intentions and protections, and the responsible dog owner-walker-neighbor will clean up the mess and take measures to insure it doesn't happen again on your property.