Hermosa Beach Launches Responsible Pet Owner Program

HERMOSA BEACH, CA – The City of Hermosa Beach is launching a Responsible Pet Owner Program to highlight the importance of proper pet waste disposal and to encourage residents and visitors to clean up after their pets to help protect the environment, reduce health hazards, keep streets and sidewalks clean and avoid a $25 fine, according to a City of Hermosa Beach press release. The “Here’s the Scoop: For Cleaner Feet, Streets and Water” campaign will kick off at the Third Annual Pets in the Park event at 10 a.m. on May 5 at Valley Park, 2521 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

Pet owners attending the event can receive a gift for making a “Responsible Pet Owner” pledge to pick up pet waste and agreeing to follow the City of Hermosa Beach’s pet owner ordinances, the press release said. Those making the pledge will also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

Pet owners who can’t attend the event will still be able to take the Responsible Pet Owner pledge by going to the City’s website after May 5 – those that pledge online will also be entered into the prize drawing. The City will also be distributing brochures and other information to residents about responsible pet ownership.

“The City is responding to the concerns of residents by launching this public education campaign to encourage responsible pet ownership,” interim City Manager John Jalili said in a statement. “Pet waste is a major source of water pollution and a potential health hazard. We ask everyone to join us in improving our water quality, protecting public health and keeping Hermosa beautiful by doing their part in properly disposing pet waste.”

Here's some information on the program, ordinances, and more, according to the press release:

• Free bags for removing pet waste are available throughout Hermosa Beach at many of the City’s parks and along the Strand and Greenbelt.
• The GoHermosa! App has a place for people to report when the City’s pet waste bag dispensers are empty.
• The City of Hermosa Beach also sweeps daily and steam cleans the Strand on a monthly basis to remove pet waste and other contaminants.
• Per Hermosa Beach Municipal Code 6.04.100, all pet owners are required to carry pet waste disposal bags with them when walking their pets and for those bags to be visible. The municipal code also requires all pet owners to dispose of all pet waste properly. Failure to carry a bag or to pick up after a pet can result in a $25 fine for each of these offenses.

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