‘Poop’-ed SW Bend neighbors try humorous reminders

It’s a responsibility that comes with living with and taking care of man’s best friend. But what happens when people don’t clean up after their pets? One southwest Bend family dealt with this familiar problem in an unusual, humorous way.

Neighbors of Pine Ridge Elementary have been growing weary of people not cleaning up after their pets.

So one family decided to take matters into its own hands, so to speak. They created numerous, clever signs and planted them right next to every dog dropping left on the lawns.

Before they knew it, there were close to 300 signs marking the spots.

Neighbors say it was about time someone took action.

“I think I can speak for a lot of people,” one resident said. “When you walk out your door on Sunday morning and someone’s left you a ‘present,’ and either you end up stepping in it or your kids do when they’re playing ball in the front yard. It’s a problem. and I wish people would pick up after their pets.”

While the signs are humorous, the resident said there is also serious business behind drawing attention to where the dogs do their business, and what should happen next. He said his kids have stepped in the dog waste numerous times when making their way to and from school.

The family who made the signs said they wanted to address the mess without pointing fingers.

“It’s just been getting really annoying, so we tried to stop it a little,” said Aidan, who helped his dad in the cleanup.

“It’s a great way to slow it down for now, and there’s some humor in it and it’s not calling anybody out, so we think it may help stop the dog poop,” he added.

They hope their signs, including a large one telling the fanciful tale of the “Kingdom of Poop,” lead to a “furry-tale” ending: a neighborhood free of doggy waste, and pet owners doing the right thing, every time.