california pets
What should I do if I see someone not picking up after their dog in a &quot;pick up after your dog&quot; zone?
<p>I've repeatedly seen owners not pick up feces after their dog on a street, well in proximity of a sign &quot;All pet feces must be removed&quot; and public bags for pet feces as well as a trash can for it.</p>
<p>What should I do? Sometimes I am with a camera(sightseeing, my phone) and I could take evidence with it.</p>
<p>Is it legal to film that (on a public street)?
If it is, and I get evidence that the owner saw the dog pooping, and walked away back to her apartment, passing the public bags, like nothing happened, what should I do? Tell the police, go to court, or tell apartment admin (I think they put the signs)?</p>

<p>Since this is a Law SE and not about interpersonal relations, manners or other topics I will focus on the legal options.</p>
<p>There are a number of actions pertaining to publicizing the event that are legal, such as filming and posting, describing and tweeting, writing letters to the editor and so on. Your main legal concern would be making a false defamatory statement, such as claiming that Bill Smith did this when it wasn't Bill Smith. This could certainly include notifying the property owner. &quot;Public discussion&quot; is always possible, even if the other person's action is entirely legal.</p>
<p>Notifying the police is an exception w.r.t. defamation, in that you can't be sued for defamation if you mistakenly accuse Smith of doing this. However, police generally will not get involved unless there is a violation of the law (some city scooping ordinance) on city property, if the ordinance is actively enforced.</p>
<p>Unless you are the property owner, you cannot sue the person for damages, because he hasn't harmed you.</p>
