Brad Horn/Nevada Appeal
Nan Paulson calls herself the official pooper scooper.
Armed with a bucket, scooper, bags and gloves, Paulson goes on poop patrol as a part-time employee of the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department.
"Most people are good about cleaning up after their dog, even if I have to ask them to do it," she said. "Very few feel they don't have to clean up after their pets. They just don't care, unfortunately."
Carson City recently added several parks to its list of dog-friendly parks, where supplies are provided to clean up after dogs who do what dogs do.
"There are 75 to 85 mutt-mitt stations at these parks," said Paulson. "Each station has a trash bin. There's no reason they can't clean up after their pets."
Paulson, who used to be an animal control officer in Hesperia, Calif., wanted to be part of the Community Parks for Paws group. She also needed a part-time job, and Parks and Rec needed someone to clear the parks of poop.
"I work up to 15 hours a week," she said. "I space my time between the parks, with Fuji Park one of the most heavily used, but it doesn't take too long. It makes for more socializing of the pets and the pet owners. I really love this park."
Paulson said owners who don't clean up after their pet face a fine up to $107.
Jack and Joyce Richardson of Gardnerville were at Fuji Park Friday morning with Josie, a yellow Lab, and Bock, a German shepherd.
Joyce, who is on the committee for the Carson Valley Trails Association, is a self-proclaimed crusader advocating for public trails for dogs and for dog owners to be responsible.
"I help clean the Jobs Peak and Fay Luther trails in Douglas County," Joyce said. "I haul off about 100 pounds of poop a week."
"If they (pet owners) don't cooperate, our privileges could be rescinded."
Carson City Parks and Recreation Director of Operations Scott Fahrenbruch said dog owners who don't pick up after their pet will get a warning, but a second offense could bring a misdemeanor citation for littering.
"We have not written any citations to pet owners for littering over the past year," Fahrenbruch said. "But we will be more stringent on this in the near future."
"Use of the parks is a privilege, not a necessity," Paulson said. "We need to help each other keep the parks clean and useable."
"And please do not let dogs go into the playground areas of parks," he warned. "The last thing a person wants is to have their kid running through the park and step in poop.
"It's amazing how much a dog can do in one day."
Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.