With the mild spring weather, more residents and their dogs are enjoying the outdoors.

The City of Kelowna is reminding dog owners that if 乌鸦传媒渢hey poop, you must scoop.乌鸦传媒� While majority of owners are responsible and pick-up after their pets, it only takes a handful to create a problem.

乌鸦传媒淔rom the recently conducted dog park survey, residents identified that their primary concern with dog parks in their neighbourhood is cleaniness; specifically, owners not picking up,乌鸦传媒� said Ian Wilson, City of Kelowna parsk services manager.

乌鸦传媒淲ith the average dog producing 124 kilograms of waste per year, the waste can quickly add up in our parks, public spaces and along sidewalks if left behind.乌鸦传媒�

The waste contains bacteria, nitrogen and salts that don乌鸦传媒檛 dissolve and can be harmful. Waste that is not properly disposed of has the potential of seeping into the ground and being washed into nearby creeks and the lake.

乌鸦传媒淩esidents also regularly contact the City with concerns about off-leash dogs in on-leash parks, especially natural parks like Knox Mountain,乌鸦传媒� said Wilson. 乌鸦传媒淲hile the regional district乌鸦传媒檚 dog control officers head out to identified hotspots, for the safety of all park users and wildlife, we乌鸦传媒檇 like to remind owners that dogs must be on-leash, except in a designated off-leash dog park.乌鸦传媒�

An owner of a pet that comes into conflict with a wild animal is liable for a $345 fine under the Wildlife Act. Owners caught not picking up after their dog are subject to a $150 fine.

For more information about dogs in parks, visit .