Upper East Side plagued by dog poop problem.
Upper East Side residents in New York City are frustrated with the amount of dog poop left behind by inconsiderate dog owners. The maximum penalty for not cleaning up a dog's droppings is a $250 fine, but enforcement is left to the city Sanitation Department, which only employs about 270 "civilian or uniformed enforcement staff" to conduct inspections. During a City Council hearing earlier this month, Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch acknowledged that they don't have an effective strategy to tackle the issue. Councilwoman Julie Menin has announced a "Curb Your Dog" contest for a poster that will be displayed around her district.