(Photo by Russ Mitchell) Walkers often opt for a stroll at the Clay County Fairgrounds, where fair Manager Phil Hurst makes a clever request for visitors who bring their pets. Officials also have concerns about pet waste at city parks. The substance is getting near playgrounds and onto shoes. [Order this photo]

And many pet owners don't realize there's a potential fine for what gets left behind -- the Spencer city staff says it has taken a few calls about pet droppings at parks. The topic was brought up at a recent community park forum.

It can be an annoyance, according to Spencer Parks and Recreation Director Delray Bredehoeft.

"If we get into areas where we have other people, especially like playground areas, then we do have problems," he said. "The kids will come home with the dog stuff on them. It's certainly something the parents don't appreciate."

The unhappy mix of recreation and residue tends to play out in the city's smaller, neighborhood parks, according to Bredehoeft.

"As we head out to Stolley's and some of those areas, there's just more area for people to go," Bredehoeft said.

City officials have some ideas to reduce the droppings in city parks:

Self accountability:

Pet owners are encouraged to bring along a small plastic bag to pick up after their pets.

A place for pets:

"We're working on is the possibility of a dog park, where people could take their dogs to exercise them," Bredehoeft said. "We're looking at the De Wolf area right now and seeing if that isn't a possibility."

Friendly reminders:

Clay County Fair Manager Phil Hurst observes his share of pedestrian traffic during the off season at the Clay County Fairgrounds. The paved walkways and green spaces are popular with pets and their owners. He incorporated his clean-up request with a sign near the entrance:

"Dog Owners," it says. "Mind your Pees & Poos. Please Clean Up After Your Dog!"

"I think the sign is very beneficial," Hurst said. "The people that saw it enjoyed the humor of it -- and they also took it to heart."

Dog stations:

The city could put up dog stations, where plastic bags -- similar to ones used for produce at the grocery store -- could help alleviate the problem, according to Spencer Police Chief Mark Lawson.

Enforcement:

An officer, theoretically could be assigned to monitor the park for ordinance violations. "Hopefully it doesn't come to that," Lawson said. He said the department's resources can be better spent "rather than watching a dog relieve itself."

"We don't have the personnel," Lawson said. "We're not going to babysit a park and watch for someone to clean up dog droppings.

There is an ordinance on it, however, we address those as they are called in -- and we have made contact with people who have pets."

The ordinance violation would be a simple misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $100 plus court costs. A feisty magistrate judge could cost pet owners $180 if the judge is inclined to issue the maximum penalty.

"I see a lot of people walking a lot of dogs and I see a lot of these people carrying little plastic bags with them," Lawson said. "So are these dogs that are being walked, that are being allowed to do this, or is this people whose dogs are let out or dogs that are running loose who are doing this? That's the other issue."