As an owner of four Chesapeake Bay Retrievers over the last 30 years, I fully agree with Martha Mathern (Letters, March 30) regarding the unforgivable, careless leaving of dog excrement in our parks and school yards.

It’s just too easy for the dog owner to remove. In fact, I would be happy to support a $50 to $100 fine on the dog owner for each violation. Enforcing it is, of course, difficult due to the fact that the size of our police force is barely adequate to carry out normal duties.

In any case, to remove any possible excuses for the unspeakable carelessness of some dog owners, here’s an easy way to take care of the problem:

Carry along two plastic grocery bags (one is a spare). The vegetable and fruit bags work best, but the general carry-all bags are just fine. No holes permitted in the bag bottom. When removal time comes, push your hand into one of the bags, reach down with the bag-covered hand and gather in the lumps, with the other hand pull the bag over the hand that’s holding the lumps. The lumps are now in the plastic bag. Tie a knot in the bag, carry it home and drop it in the garbage can.

We spend about a half hour, twice each day, throwing balls for our dog to retrieve, while no one else is in the school yard or park. Leaving nothing behind to mark our passage.

John Q. Adams

Oak Harbor

If you want to read more letters to the editor, subscribe to the Whidbey News-Times.