Following a few ground rules will help keep pets and people safe;

1. Use a Leash.  While your dog may have excellent recall, there's not telling what might trigger them to bolt or involve them in a contentious situation with another dog or person.  Even though the city ordinance language includes at heel by command or leash, having your dog off leash is risky and may make others uncomfortable.
2. Be Respectful.  This goes for people and property alike.  Don't let your dog run up to or jump on other people; keep them close to you so others can pass you without the fear of falling.  Also, keep them off neighborhood lawns.  Landscaping is expensive and time consuming, and dog pee is a lawn killer.
3. Pick Up Your Dog's Poop.  It is unlawful to permit a dog (or cat) to defecate on any private property without consent or on any public property unless immediately removed and placed in a proper receptacle.

It is unlawful for pet owners to allow their dogs or cats to act in a way that causes a nuisance, such as:

• Habitually barking or crying
• Chasing vehicles or individuals
• Damaging or defiling property, public or private
• Pestering an individual who is not on the property of the pet's owner

In addition, the pet's owner is responsible for removing and sanitarily disposing of feces left by the animal on any public or private property, including yards, trails, parks and boulevards.

Picking up pet poo may not be high on your "things-I-love-to-do" list, but it's a basic tenant of being a responsible pet owner and a considerate neighbor.

Another important thing to consider: pet waste is a major source of bacterial contamination in urban watersheds.  In 1991 dog poop (cat poop isn't so great either) was named an environmental pollutant and placed in the same health category as petroleum and toxic chemicals by the EPA.

The longer dog waste stays on the ground, the greater the chance of contamination.  Bacteria, worms and other parasites thrive in waste until it's washed away into the water supply.  Ringworm, roundworm, salmonella and giardia can all be found in dog feces and are easily transferable to people through contact.

What you can do:  Bag it.  Carry disposable bags while walking your dog to pick up and dispose of waste.  Put it in a plastic bag and either drop the bag in a trash can or flush the bag's contents (contents only not the bag) down a toilet.  Do Not leave pet waste on the streets, sidewalks or other hard surfaces where it can wash into storm drains, ditches or waterways.