NYC Residents Forced to Navigate Sidewalk Minefields of Dog Poop Amid Melting Snow

Hundreds of complaints filed over unscooped dog waste left behind by negligent owners

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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In the weeks since a major snowstorm hit New York City, residents have been forced to navigate sidewalks littered with piles of unscooped dog waste left behind by careless pet owners. The issue has become so prevalent that the city's 311 service has received over 245 complaints about dog waste since the January snowfall, an 8% increase from the same period last year. Residents say the problem is exacerbated by the melting snow, which has made the piles of dog feces more visible and difficult to avoid.

Why it matters

The buildup of uncollected dog waste is not only an unsightly nuisance, but also poses potential health and safety risks to pedestrians. The situation highlights a persistent issue of irresponsible pet ownership in New York City, as well as the challenges the Sanitation Department faces in enforcing the city's Pooper Scooper Law, especially during periods of extreme weather.

The details

The 245 dog waste complaints made to the city's 311 service since the January 25th snowfall represent an 8% increase from the same time period last year. Residents in neighborhoods like Bushwick, East Harlem, and Ridgewood have taken to social media to express their frustration with the problem, which they say has become much more noticeable due to the melting snow. The Sanitation Department says it has focused enforcement efforts on the areas with the highest number of complaints, but has not issued any violations since the snowstorm, as its workforce has been primarily focused on snow removal. The department is exploring the use of mobile cameras to increase enforcement against negligent pet owners.

  • On January 25th, a major snowstorm hit New York City, leaving about 1 foot of snow.
  • Since January 25th, the city's 311 service has received 245 complaints about dog waste, an 8% increase from the same period last year.

The players

New York City Sanitation Department

The city agency responsible for enforcing the Pooper Scooper Law and addressing issues related to uncollected dog waste.

Mia Peterson

A 37-year-old Bushwick resident who expressed frustration with the buildup of dog waste on the sidewalks.

Mads Gordon

A 23-year-old Bushwick resident who described the dog poop piles as the "worst" they've seen.

Josie B.

A 26-year-old Bushwick resident who noted that the dog waste is more noticeable due to the snow.

Leslie Wright

An East Harlem local who witnessed someone step in dog waste and described the situation as "not a nice sight to look at."

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What they’re saying

“This dog poop pile-up is driving me crazy, and I have a dog, so I feel like this is just completely unnecessary.”

— Mia Peterson (New York Post)

“This is the worst I've seen dog poop piles – it's a lot. I guess because folks don't want to, like, get their hands cold. Dogs still have to s—t, and owners just don't want to pick it up.”

— Mads Gordon (New York Post)

“It looks very visible and disgusting.”

— Josie B. (New York Post)

“I don't think people do a good job of picking up after their dogs. I'm passing through, and there's a lot. Somebody stepped on it, which I just witnessed a few minutes ago.”

— Leslie Wright (New York Post)

What’s next

The Sanitation Department says it is exploring the use of mobile cameras to increase enforcement against negligent pet owners who fail to clean up after their dogs.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the ongoing challenge of irresponsible pet ownership in New York City, as well as the need for more effective enforcement of the Pooper Scooper Law, especially during periods of extreme weather when the problem becomes more visible and hazardous for pedestrians.