What Pet Owners Need to Know About Kentucky's Pooper Scooper Law

Did you know that failing to pick up after your pet in Kentucky can land you a fine? If you don’t dispose of your dog’s waste properly, you could be breaking the law! Here’s what you need to know before your pet goes.

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Spring is finally here! Which means it's time to take your dog for a walk. Do you often see pet owners walking their dogs and not picking up after them? I see it all the time! Well, in some Kentucky cities, not picking up your pet’s waste can lead to a fine. While it may seem small, local ordinances are serious about keeping public spaces clean. Before you head out for your next walk, grab some disposable waste bags or make sure you know the rules in your area to avoid costly fines.

WHAT IS KENTUCKY'S POOPER-SCOOPER LAW?

The Pooper Scooper Law in Kentucky requires pet owners to clean up after their dogs and properly dispose of their pets' waste in public places, including parks, sidewalks, and streets.

IS THE POOPER-SCOOPER LAW ENFORCED STATEWIDE?

While Kentucky does not have a state-wide law on dog waste, many cities and counties within the state have local ordinances that require dog owners to pick up after their pets. Many cities, like Owensboro, Henderson, Louisville, Lexington, and others, have local laws requiring pet owners to clean up after their dogs in public areas. These ordinances can vary in fines, enforcement, and specific regulations.

OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY POOPER-SCOOPER LAW

(a) The owner, custodian, or person in possession or control of any dog, cat, or other domestic animal authorized as a household pet under section 4-16, et seq., of the Owensboro Municipal Code, shall promptly remove and properly dispose of any excrement deposited by the owner's, custodian's, or possessor's domestic animal within the city in any public park or recreation area, or on any streets, sidewalks, or other public rights-of-way, or private property owned or occupied by someone other than the owner, custodian, or person in charge of said animal.

(b) Any person who brings a domestic animal classified as a household pet into any public park or recreation area, on any street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way, or private property owned or occupied by someone other than the owner or person in charge of said animal, shall have in his or her possession an animal waste container, removal material or other device suitable for the removal and proper disposal of animal excrement.

(d) Any person who violates subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00), for violation of each subsection.

(e) Exception: This section shall not apply to a licensed animal specially trained to guide and/or assist its owner, custodian, or person in possession of said animal, who is legally blind or incapacitated by a medically diagnosed disability. This section also shall not apply to specially trained and licensed animals used by law enforcement officers or fire investigators in the conduct of their official duties.

(Ord. No. 28-97, §§ 1—4, 6-17-97; Ord. No. 9-2003, § 1, 2-13-2003)

SOURCE: MUNICODE CODIFICATION

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HENDERSON, KENTUCKY POOPER-SCOOPER LAW

(a) It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of a dog to permit such animal to excrete feces on school grounds, city parks, sidewalks, or other public property, or on any private property other than that of the owner or person in charge or control of the dog without the permission of the owner of said property unless the owner or person in control of the dog immediately removes all feces deposited by the dog and disposes of same in a sanitary manner.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to place animal feces in storm sewers or upon the property of another or to dispose of such feces in any manner except by depositing it in a covered, fly-tight container normally used for garbage.

This can result in a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $150.

(Ord. No. 05-24, Exh. A, 2-20-24)

SOURCE: MUNICODE CODIFICATION

HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY POOPER-SCOOPER LAW

(A) No person shall fail to remove any excrement deposited by any dog, cat or other animal under his or her control on public property or private property of another absent the consent of the owner or occupant of the property.

(B) This section shall not apply to guide dogs under the control of a blind person.

(Ord. 9-97, passed 8-5-1997) Penalty, $90.99

SOURCE: AMERICAN LEGAL PUBLISHING

Every city is different, but understanding the specific rules in Kentucky will help you avoid unnecessary fines. And, it's to help maintain cleanliness in our cities! Who wouldn't want that? Luckily most Owensboro parks offer waste bags to help!

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