CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services launched a canine campaign with signs popping up all over town, warning pet owners of the health problems associated with leaving pet waste in public places.
With waste stations at seemingly every corner, it seems easy enough to scoop up the mess, but the city says last week, they flagged more than 600 piles on public property, which translates into 450 pounds of pet waste.
"You do see people that just don't pick it up, and it's gross because it spreads gross diseases and bacteria," said a Dalmatian owner.
The city said 450 pounds of pet waste is an estimated 4.7 trillion fecal bacteria that is left to be washed into creeks and local waterways.
"Sometimes it's not bad intent, sometimes you just don't know when your dog is going to poop," said one woman, who went on to say she picks up her dog's waste.
While dogs mark their territory inside of parks across the city, flags mark what dogs (and their owners) have left behind.
"I would say the South End struggles with it and areas near Dilworth," said one man.
"I think it's people being lazy," said a woman.
A mastiff's mess is not hard to miss, but not everyone says North Carolina's number one city is becoming overridden with number two.
"It's clean here," said a woman, whose Shih Tzu only goes once a day.