A Dog Waste Initiative has been created in Ridgefield to address the issue of people leaving their dog's waste on the ground.  A seven-member committee, two girl scouts and middle school students are part of the effort.

The youth volunteers are acquiring permits to install pooper scoopers around Ridgefield.  Girl Scouts are applying to the town engineer to put up about half a dozen dog waste receptacles along the rail trail as part of their Silver Award.  There are currently plastic bag dispensers with biodegradable bags available for use.

An incoming High School freshman wants to install pooper scoopers along Main Street.  The historic district will need to give approval on some locations, so the receptacles may be placed on side streets.

Officials have suggested a clean-up campaign like Keep Ridgefield Beautiful to get pet owners to be accountable for properly disposing of pet waste.  An existing town ordinance makes leaving the waste behind comparable to littering.