Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. says most Yazooans love animals, but they don’t love what’s often left behind in their yards thanks to careless owners.
Brent said Yazoo needs to establish an ordinance requiring pet owners to clean up after their animals. He said it’s a common problem in Yazoo City, and when it comes to cleaning up the mess, the pet owners should be the ones holding the bag.
“I know we all love dogs,” Brent said. “I don’t know what we can do about stray dogs that are defecating in yards, but we can do something about the individuals walking their dogs on a leash.”
Brent said he has witnessed dog owners allowing their dogs to “do their business” in someone else’s yard without cleaning up the mess.
“They keep on walking,” Brent said. “They need to put it in a bag.”
Brent said while dogs are a problem citywide, horses are making an even bigger mess.
“I know many of these guys who ride horses,” Brent said. “I don’t have a thing in the world against horses. I love horses, but we have to maintain the cleanliness of our city in terms of these horses defecating in the street.”
Brent said he doesn’t think horse owners realize how big of a problem it is when they ride their horses in the city without cleaning up.
“They’ll even get in your driveway when they stop and have conversations, and the horse will defecate there,” Brent said. “I really don’t think citizens want to have to drive through that stuff when they’re moving down our city streets.”
Mayor Diane Delaware said she believes there is already an existing ordinance addressing the issue.
“We need to take another look at this,” Brent said.
