Can I report my neighbor for not picking up dog poop? See Modesto rules
Whether it’s leaving trash bins on the curb or setting off fireworks late at night, Modesto has rules meant to keep daily life orderly — and residents living in harmony.
The rules can also apply to dogs, cats and other pets living within city limits.
A Modesto Bee reader recently asked our journalists with Bee Curious, a community-driven series where reporters answer reader questions about the Modesto region: What responsibilities do residents have to pick up their pet’s waste?
Here’s what Modesto city officials said:
What are Modesto rules about picking up pet waste?
If you own or care for an animal, you can’t let its waste pile up on your property for more than three days, according to the Modesto’s Municipal Code.
It must be bagged and removed within seven days.
You’re also required to prevent odors from urine or feces from bothering your neighbors or interfering with their use of their property, city code says.
Are you allowed to leave dog poop in city parks? On streets?
According to Modesto’s Municipal Code, you’re not allowed to leave pet poop on public property.
“This applies to public parks, sidewalks, roadway of any public street or on any property not owned or possessed by the owner or person being in charge, care, control or custody of the animal,” city officials wrote in an email to The Modesto Bee.
What are the penalties for not cleaning up after a pet?
Not cleaning up after your pet is considered a violation of Modesto’s Municipal Code.
It can result in a $50 fine for the first offense and $200 for the second and following offenses.
However, those penalties don’t apply to “visually handicapped persons who have the charge or control of a guide dog,” the city code says.
Can I report my Modesto neighbor for illegal dumping?
You can report a neighbor in Modesto for not picking up pet waste, as it’s considered a public nuisance.
If a neighbor leaves pet waste on a sidewalk, park or other public space, you can file an illegal dumping report with the city of Modesto’s Solid Waste Division at 209-577-5494 or submit an online report through the GoModesto! app.
If waste is left on your property or in a shared common area, you can file a complaint with Stanislaus Animal Services, which handles animal nuisance issues in Modesto.
You can contact Animal Services at 209-558-7387 or submit a complaint form online.
How do I properly dispose of pet waste in Modesto?
You should throw away dog feces, kitty litter and other pet waste in the black garbage container, the city of Modesto said on its website.
“The black container is for household garbage and non-organic materials,” the city said.
Waste from this bin is sent to a waste-to-energy facility where it is incinerated to generate electricity.
When pet waste is not disposed of properly, it can add harmful bacteria and nutrients to water.
This can cause an excessive growth of algae and weeds, as well as murky, green and smelly water that’s unsafe for both wildlife and humans, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
It’s important to pick up after your pets at home because some diseases can be transmitted into the soil, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Another option for disposing of pet waste is flushing it down the toilet.
Wastewater from toilets goes to sewage treatment plants, which remove most pollutants before the water reaches rivers or streams, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
However, you should not flush dog waste bags, cat litter or any additional debris to prevent a clogged toilet. Flush only the waste itself.
Have a question about life in Modesto?
You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing me directly at arodriguez@modbee.com, our service journalism desk servicejournalists@modbee.com, or by filling out the form below.
