Hundreds of signs threatening $250 fines for dog waste violations are producing a steaming pile of controversy in one New York town.
The signs are posted around the Town of North Hempstead, on Long Island, but the fine’s bark is worse than the bite.
That’s because the actual fine on the town’s books for failing to pick up after a dog is $25.
Town officials tell CBSNewYork that it would be cheaper to raise the fine than replace the erroneous signs.
So they are considering amending the pooper-scooper law to hike the fine from $25 to $250.
Besides, officials tell the station it would be a waste to replace the signs because it’s not easy to catch dog poop violators.
“It is hard to enforce, because you actually have to catch the dog in the act in order to give them a citation,” town spokeswoman Carole Trottere said.
The town board is holding a public hearing on the matter Dec. 9.
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