When I moved to Astoria two years ago, I was delighted to benefit from the city’s provision of high-quality dog waste disposal bags. These well-placed, attentively restocked, biodegradable Mutt Mitts made it easy for owners to clean up after their sidekicks, keeping the Riverwalk and the entire town far more “doody-free” than they would be otherwise. However, the recent downgrade in the quality of the bags has effectively, by and large, rendered them useless.

The new bags are so small as to prevent use by anyone with large hands or a large dog. I can barely wedge one of my mitts into the things, and the advantage of the opposable thumb, upon which I rely is negated by the tight fit, as I am unable to splay my digits inside. These bags are entirely insufficient to handle the capacity of my dog’s deposits, not only failing to collect the object in its entirety but leaving no plastic with which to tie off the package. It has been recommended that I use two bags for each episode, but this does not alter the limitations noted above.

It is my understanding that this low-quality option was intended as a cost-saving measure by the Parks and Recreation Department. Of course, the savings will be even greater in that a large proportion of the population will not be able to use the bags at all, thereby making them last even longer, unless some people with small hands end up using two bags, which, of course, would negatively impact said savings. If intended cost-saving is the justification, why not cite the same motive and refrain from purchasing any bags at all?

Ostensibly, these bags are provided to aid in keeping the city free of pet waste. But I would argue that to provide a product that won’t serve the very group in greatest need — those whose large dogs leave the largest, most offensive statements — is undermining the purpose of providing them in the first place. I recognize that budget cuts are occurring everywhere, and that provision of these bags is a privilege.

And sure, I can resume use of the plastic bags from grocery stores, until the county votes to ban them, at which time I can add the expense of purchasing bags to the dog budget. But if the goal of a town free of pet droppings is taken seriously, I would ask that a viable product once again be provided.

Nate Martin

Astoria