Short answer: in most U.S. cities, yes. And the fines are steeper than you think.
It's one of those questions most pup parents have wondered: "wait — am I actually required to pick up my dog's poop?" Short answer: in the vast majority of U.S. cities and towns, yes. And the fines can be steeper than you'd expect. (Quick disclaimer: we're not attorneys, laws vary by city, and this is general education — always check your local ordinance.)
Almost every U.S. city with more than a few thousand people has some form of "pooper scooper law" requiring dog owners to clean up after their pets. These laws generally apply to: