‘There is no poop fairy’: Merrill Creek Reservoir urges dog owners to stop leaving waste bags behind

HARMONY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — Merrill Creek Reservoir in Harmony Township is urging dog owners to properly dispose of pet waste after officials said bags of dog feces have been left on trails, hidden around the property and even thrown into the reservoir.

In a message to visitors, Merrill Creek Reservoir said people are taking the time to pick up after their dogs but are then abandoning the bags rather than carrying them to a trash can.

Officials said bags have been thrown into the reservoir and forest, stuffed into holes in logs, hidden in tall grass, placed under rocks along the dikes and dam and left along trails for others to pick up.

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Dog poop bags PLEASE STOP leaving them all over MCR,” Merrill Creek Reservoir said.

Officials said leaving the bags behind is littering and can damage wildlife habitat and the scenic environment visitors come to enjoy.

Trash cans are available near the portable toilets in the Visitor Center Parking Lot, I/O Tower Parking Lot and Boat Ramp Parking Lot, as well as inside the Visitor Center bathrooms.

Merrill Creek Reservoir said trash cans cannot be placed throughout the property because of bears and reminded visitors that they are responsible for carrying their pet’s waste to an appropriate disposal location.

“We cannot have trash cans all over MCR due to bears and there is no poop-fairy that picks up your pet waste – cleanup after your pet and be a responsible human being and pet owner. Thank you.”