Curbing your dog isn’t just common courtesy, it’s the law. But residents on MacDougal Street in Bed-Stuy say careless pet owners are turning their carefully tended gardens into a free-for-all for dog waste.

Geneva Collins, a homeowner who works with neighbors to plant and protect flowers and trees, has seen the issue firsthand. Despite signs and free dog bags on posts she has purchased for the block, careless owners continue to allow dogs to trample, urinate on, and even eat the garden’s plants.

"You're hurting the trees, the plants, and my back because I'm doing more work than I should. I shouldn’t have to clean up after someone else’s dog," Collins said, adding that many flowers have now turned yellow, wilted or died despite being planted days ago.

Frustrated neighbors have started putting makeshift barriers around flower beds to deter pets.

"It’s like a booby-trap, not meant to hurt the pets, just to stop them from destroying the garden," said Asia Tate, a local resident who attached string over the top of the flower beds to make it look unappealing to pets.

Yet enforcement remains nearly nonexistent.

DSNY regulations require staff to catch a dog owner in the act to issue a ticket, an unlikely scenario.

In all of 2024, only 13 citations were given citywide for this violation.

"That’s ridiculous. We are doing all we can, but need more help from the city," Collins said.

For now, residents continue to fight for their green spaces, hoping dog owners will finally take responsibility.

"Just seeing the faces of the kids when they stop, making the street beautiful - it's worth it, even with the inconsiderate people," Collins said.