{"id":3122,"date":"2026-05-15T13:39:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T17:39:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=3122"},"modified":"2026-05-15T13:39:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T17:39:35","slug":"speaker-menin-council-members-and-animal-rights-advocates-rally-in-support-of-scoop-act-to-address-dog-waste-and-community-cleanliness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2026\/05\/15\/3122\/","title":{"rendered":"Speaker Menin, Council Members, and Animal Rights Advocates Rally in Support of SCOOP Act to Address Dog Waste and Community Cleanliness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bills would expand access to dog waste bags, increase public education, and establish a composting pilot program<\/em><\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NY \u2013 <\/strong>Today, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Council Members, dog enthusiasts, and animal rights advocates rallied at the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run in support of the Safe and Clean Outdoor Ownership Practices (SCOOP) Act, a package of legislation aimed at improving community cleanliness, enhancing support for dog owners, and ensuring dog waste is picked up throughout all five boroughs. The legislative effort comes after the City saw a spike in dog waste complaints<\/a> by New Yorkers during the first two months of the year following consecutive winter snowstorms. During that period, 311 received 821 complaints about dog waste citywide, up 35.8% from the same period last year.<\/p>\n

The SCOOP Act would expand access to dog waste bags, launch a new pilot program to compost dog waste collected from dog runs, establish a new public education campaign, and strengthen enforcement in certain areas. Most of the bills in the legislative package will be heard by the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management on Tuesday, May 19<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The livestream of the event is here<\/a>, and photos will soon be here<\/a>. A video announcing the SCOOP Act can also be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving clean streets and sidewalks isn\u2019t just a quality of life issue, it\u2019s also a public health matter that the Council\u2019s SCOOP Act legislation will help address,\u201d said Speaker Julie Menin. <\/strong>\u201cToday is about giving dogs and their busy owners more resources, and friendly reminders to care for their furry friends and for their community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The SCOOP Act includes the following legislation:  <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Introduction 857<\/strong><\/a>, sponsored by\u00a0Speaker Julie Menin,\u00a0<\/strong>would require the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to install and regularly fill dog waste bag dispensers on or next to all public litter baskets on city streets. This bill would also require DSNY to work with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to conduct a public awareness campaign to educate the public on the negative public health consequences associated with dog waste.<\/li>\n
  2. Introduction\u00a0864,<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0sponsored by\u00a0Council Member Harvey Epstein<\/strong>, would require the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to establish a pilot program to collect dog feces from dog runs under the Department of Parks and Recreation\u2019s (DPR) jurisdiction for composting. At dog runs, the Commissioner would install dog feces collection bins, provide compostable dog feces bags, and post a sign at each bin recommending that individuals deposit dog feces in the bins.<\/li>\n
  3. Introduction 906<\/strong><\/a>, sponsored by\u00a0Council Member Justin Sanchez<\/strong>, would establish procedures for the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) once it receives at least 3 complaints of dog waste on the same city block within 7 days. DSNY would be required to either remove the waste on that block or inform property owners of their obligation to remove the waste and issue violations to those who do not remove the waste.<\/li>\n
  4. Introduction 872,<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0sponsored by\u00a0Council Member Shahana Hanif<\/strong>, would require the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation with the Commissioner of Sanitation, to develop and conduct a public education and outreach campaign to inform the public about dog waste removal and the dangers of failing to remove dog waste.<\/li>\n
  5. Introduction 880,<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>sponsored by\u00a0Council Member Mercedes Narcisse,\u00a0<\/strong>would require the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to post signs at the entrances and exits of parks, and at certain park facilities, stating the rule prohibiting a person from leaving dog waste on the ground and the associated penalties for violation. Separately, this bill would require the Commissioner of Transportation to post signs on the New York State requirement concerning dog waste removal in public areas and associated penalties.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    At the rally, the Council also launched the @nycscooppatrol account on Instagram<\/a> and X<\/a>, which can be tagged by New Yorkers who want to participate in community-organized cleanups. Speaker Menin also appointed the dog influencer Maxine the Fluffy Corgi as the first-ever Dog Speaker, who will serve as an honorary co-sponsor of the SCOOP Act. The City\u2019s Dog Mayor and Deputy Dog Mayor also agreed to serve as honorary co-sponsors.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI am happy to welcome Speaker Menin and my colleagues to Tompkins Square Park to call for the passage of the SCOOP Act, creating a comprehensive plan for dog waste in our city,\u201d said Council Member Harvey Epstein, Chair of the Council\u2019s Animal Welfare Caucus<\/strong>. \u201cMy bill Int. 864 would create a pilot program for composting dog waste in our city\u2019s dog runs. As the Chair of the Animal Welfare Caucus and an avid composter, I cannot wait to participate in this when I take my dog, Homer, to the dog run.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBeing a responsible dog owner means making sure your number one priority is never leaving number two behind,\u201d said Council Member Justin E. Sanchez, Chair of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management<\/strong>. \u201cMy bill is about accountability, respecting our neighbors, and making sure the people who do the right thing every day are not forced to deal with the consequences of the people who don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cEvery New Yorker deserves clean and safe public spaces, said Council Member Shahana Hanif. <\/strong>\u201cThe SCOOP Act takes a comprehensive approach to addressing dog waste in our neighborhoods, and I\u2019m proud to introduce legislation creating a public education campaign so every New Yorker \u2014 and especially dog owners \u2014 understands the rules, public health impacts, and importance of picking up after pets.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cOur city has 600,000 dogs, 311 complaints are surging, and virtually no irresponsible dog owner is facing consequences,\u201d said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse<\/strong>. \u201cThe law has been on the books since 1978 but without visible reminders in the places where the problem is worst, we’re relying on the honor system. This package puts signage at park entrances and on sidewalks flagged by complaints so dog owners see the rules and the penalties. It’s simple, it’s low-cost, and our communities have been asking for it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cAt Voters For Animal Rights, we believe being an animal-friendly city means being a responsible city,\u201d said Allie Taylor, Founder of Voters For Animal Right<\/strong>s. \u201cSupporting dogs and the people who love them also means keeping our streets, parks, and public spaces clean, safe, and accessible for everyone. Thoughtful policies that reduce dog waste pollution help protect public health, improve quality of life, and strengthen the bond between New Yorkers and their companion animals. We\u2019re proud to stand with Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Harvey Epstein in support of commonsense legislation that promotes cleaner neighborhoods and more responsible pet guardianship.\u201d <\/p>\n

    \u201cPets are cherished members of the family, and a vital part of the fabric of our city as evidenced by the New York City Council\u2019s recent creation of an Animal Welfare Caucus to promote animal welfare and advance legislation to make pet ownership more affordable for animal-loving New Yorkers,\u201d said Michelle Villagomez, Senior Director of Municipal Affairs for the ASPCA<\/strong>. \u201cWhether you’re an experienced pet parent or a first-time dog owner, it’s important to keep your canine companion’s health and happiness a top priority and abide by local laws to license your dog, keep them on a leash when in public places, and scoop up their poop. While most pet parents do clean up after their dogs, there are certain problem areas, usually on less densely populated streets, and we welcome the City Council\u2019s efforts to address this issue to ensure happier, safer communities for people and pets across the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

    ###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Bills would expand access to dog waste bags, increase public education, and establish a composting pilot program<\/em><\/p>\n

    NEW YORK, NY \u2013 <\/strong>Today, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Council Members, dog enthusiasts, and animal rights advocates rallied at the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run in support of the Safe and Clean Outdoor Ownership Practices (SCOOP) Act, a package of legislation aimed at improving community cleanliness, enhancing support for dog owners, and ensuring dog waste is picked up throughout all five boroughs.<\/p>\n

    …<\/p>\n

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