New York City's "Crappiest Block" Revealed as Dog Waste Complaints Soar in Brooklyn

"As February gives way to warmer temperatures, the melting snow in New York City is revealing an unpleasant sight: sidewalks littered with dog feces. This issue isn't going unnoticed, as Gothamist reports an 81% increase in dog waste complaints this year over last. Nowhere is this problem more acute than on 49th Street between Third and Fourth avenues in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, now holding the dubious title of the city's "crappiest block" with 28 complaints since late January."

"This surge in complaints is part of a citywide issue that is drawing the ire of locals and city officials alike. In the same period, a nearly 94% increase in reports to the city's 311 system over the previous year was documented. It's a trend that aligns with recent housing developments and an uptick in dog ownership, as the New York Post suggests that new residents might not be adhering to the same level of community upkeep, adding to the volume of complaints in areas like Mott Haven, which saw a snowstorm worsen circumstances."

"Some New Yorkers, like Norma Rivera, a resident of the impacted Sunset Park street, argue that visibility plays a role in how dog owners behave. She told Gothamist, "It's not as bad in the warmer months because people are going to watch." Meanwhile, Sanitation officials reason that enforcement is challenging because it requires witnessing the act. Joshua Goodman, a sanitation spokesperson, admitted to Gothamist, "The chances of someone not picking up after their dog while an enforcement officer is watching is very, very slim. So slim, that we issued just two summonses for failure to remove canine waste in 2025.""

Melting snow has exposed sidewalks littered with dog feces across New York City. Citywide dog waste complaints increased by about 81% year-over-year, and 311 reports rose nearly 94% over the previous year. A single block in Sunset Park, 49th Street between Third and Fourth avenues, recorded 28 complaints since late January and earned the label of the city's most complained-about block. Housing development and increased dog ownership coincide with rising complaints in neighborhoods such as Mott Haven. Visibility appears to influence owner behavior, and enforcement is difficult because violations must be witnessed, resulting in very few summonses.

Read at Hoodline