Horse poop?

[hunnybear]

Has anyone else noticed all the horse poop from the police officers? I especially see it on 82  Street near 37 ave. they park the horse trailers and it leaks excretement.  On tues there were two police officers on horses on the actual sidewalk on 37 ave across from the post office we had to wait for them to move so we could walk past.  I didn't know they were allowed to go on the sidewalk. Not only that but on our walk back there was a HUGE amount of horse droppings all over the street near the curb so if a wheelchair or stroller had to use the ramp near the curb they would have to wheel in it.  Someone could have easily slipped in it. It was a massive amount. Not to mention the smell and sanitary aspects. Please don't get me wrong I love animals but if I have to clean up after my 50 lb dog Why are they allowed to CRAP where they please? Also what is the purpose of having police on horses in Jackson Heights where the traffic is a nightmare I don't understand it.

[liam0925]

I have no answer, but I do find it rather amusing that a Honey Bear would complain about Horse Poop.  Have we been punked?   

[hunnybear]

Liam I am glad you find it amusing. I hope you aren't the one to slip in it!

[liam0925]

I wasn't trying to ignore your pain just found the screen name/subject heading combo amusing.

I am not sure what would remedy the problem.  Our mayor loves to rant, maybe he could start a curb your horse campaign...he has rid the city of smoke, transfats, term limits and the right to own property...so maybe he can now turn his attention to this or add it to his task list for the City Council. 

In the meantime I'll watch my step crossing 82nd St.

[hunnybear]

I see you are getting laughs at my expense. However this is a neighborhood chat discussion board and so be it if this bothers me.  I've had dogs and god forbid I run out of paper to pick up after them and had people curse at me. Why is it because they are police horses that they do not have to clean up after them? I would get a ticket- that was my point. anyhow I am no longer responding to you

[diablevert]

According to the city health code, technically, no, they aren't supposed to poop on the sidewalk. But they can poop on the street, as can your dog. You could, in theory, attempt to find an official of the Departments of Health, Sanitation, or Parks and Recreation to issue a ticket to the officer if you should find them letting their horses create a nuisance on the sidewalk again. I would not care to speculate on the results of such a maneuver.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/public/161-03-notice.pdf

§161.03 Control of dogs and other animals to prevent nuisance.
(a) A person who owns, possesses or controls a dog, cat or other animal shall not permit the animal
to commit a nuisance on a sidewalk of any public place, on a floor, wall, stairway or roof of any
public or private premises used in common by the public, or on a fence, wall or stairway of a
building abutting on a public place.
(b) Notices of violation for failure to comply with this section may be issued by any authorized
employee, officer or agent of the Department, or of the Departments of Sanitation and Parks and
Recreation, or successor agencies.

[liam0925]

I see you are getting laughs at my expense. ....anyhow I am no longer responding to you

sorry, didn't mean to offend.

[toddg]

Another option would be to call 311 or the 115th Precinct directly. 

[Aronan]

Apparently horses are used in area of high traffic congestion. Probably because they can weave through cars and people much better than those 3 wheel golf cart things.

I have often wondered who is responsible for scooping the horse poop, and while I've considered approaching a mounted officer and confronting him / her about their disregard for NYC's pooper scooper laws I figure that conversation will not end very well.

A call to 311, a letter to the 115th pct, etc. are probably the most viable options, but I wouldn't expect that to change anything any time soon.

[andolicious]

i ride my bike everyday and most of the time i have to watch out for the horse shit. i dont understand why cops are still riding around on horses. why are my tax dollars going to these pigs on horses, horses are really expensive animals to take care of. whats the point, they dont even clean anything up and i'm sure they dont run after criminals while they're on horses. get rid of the horse shit!

[Aronan]

All the horses are donated to the police department and I believe that donation comes along with money for their care, I could be wrong. I also believe, and am willing to be wrong, that the officers who ride them put in hours above and beyond to care for them etc.

They are very effective for crowd control and patrolling high traffic areas. More so than bikes or cars.

While the poop may be annoying and unsanitary I don't think it requires getting rid of the mounted department. There are far greater wastes of money in the NYPD. 

[Jeffsayyes]

yeah but what happens when they see someone committing a crime? are they going to run after them on their horse? that would be a funny site. then do they lasso the felons or what? if i was a robber, i would just carry a carrot with me wherever I go just in case i end up being chased by a horse. I would just throw the carrot one way and run the other way. that would probably work i think.

[Really4rob]

This is an entertaining thread, though Hunnybear did raise a good initial point ...

A google search found these topics of interest, among others:

Lately from Loris: What's the Poop with Police horse manure?Our responsibility to clean it up? Nope. I appreciate good ... If New York, with its huge population (horse and human) can keep the streets clean, ...
latelyfromloris.blogspot.com/2005/06/whats-poop-with-police-horse-manure.html

Fine Could Rise For Failure To Scoop Poop - Topix13 posts - Last post: Jun 5
So why do dog owners have to pick up poop (which I do) but horse owners ... pet poop but as an added incentive to make sure they clean up ...
www.topix.com/forum/city/yonkers-ny/TVSTQK0E3F2BEH6VR

NYPD Horse Manure Squad on Flickr - Photo Sharing!NYPD Horse Manure Squad by PayPaul. ... Click this icon to see all public photos and videos tagged with Clean Up Clean Up ...
www.flickr.com/photos/paypaul/2566503488/

I know we have a lot of photogs on here ... the Flickr Manure Squad could expand ...

[diablevert]

"horses are really expensive animals to take care of."

According to this, they're cheaper than cars. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/18/nyregion/18horses.html?_r=1&fta=y

The cops think theyre good for crowd control and traffic in congested areas, and kids like them.

[eddiestjohns]

i ride my bike everyday and most of the time i have to watch out for the horse shit. i dont understand why cops are still riding around on horses. why are my tax dollars going to these pigs on horses, horses are really expensive animals to take care of. whats the point, they dont even clean anything up and i'm sure they dont run after criminals while they're on horses. get rid of the horse shit!

Pigs on horses!!  I'm sure you won't refer to a police officer as a pig when you need one.