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WEBVTT KRISTEN CAROSA HAS THE STORYTONIGHT FROM RYE.KRISTErt THE TOWN IS TAKING ITSERIOUSLY AND THAT IS WHY THEYARE INCREASING THEIR FINES FORDOG WASTE REMOVAL TO SEND AMESSAGE.HIGH LEVELS OF BACTERIA HAVEBEEN FOUND IN PARSONS CREEK,rt DUETO WASTE.THAT CAN BE CONTRIBUTED HUMANOR ANIMAL OR WILDLIFE.WE'RE RESEARCHING THAT.KRISrtTEN; THE POLICE DEPARTMENTIS ASKING RESIDENTS TO HAVETHEIR SEPARATE SYSTEMS CHECK.THEY'RE ALSO rtCRACKING DOWN ONTHE DISPOSAL OF DOG WASTE.SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED STATING AFINE OF $1000 COULD BE ISSUED TOANYONE WHO IS CAUGHT LEAVING DOGWASTE ON THErt ROAD OR NEAR WATER.>> PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THEM ONROAD OR TOSSING THEM INTO THECREEK.rtKRISTEN: THE OWNER OF PDC FOODHAS SEEN IT FIRSTHAND.>> THEY LEAVE IT RIGHT IN THEPICNIC AREA, IN THE PARKING LOT,rtTHEY LEAVE IT ON THE STONEWALLIN THE PARKING LOT.THERE'S A DUMPSTER RIGHT THERE.KRISTEN: THERE ArtRE MANY YOUCLEAN UP AFTER THEIR DOGS ANDTHEY SAY THEY ARE IN FAVOR OFTHIS STRICT FINE.>> WE SEE IT ON THE BEACH IN ONTHE ROADS.AND SOMETIMES IT IS INADVERTENT,Art BAG WILL FALL OFF OFSOMEBODY'S CAR BUT PEOPLE DONEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIRPETS.AND FOR THEIR PET LITTER.rtKRISTEN: THE TOWN IS PASSINGOUT PAMPHLETS THAT SAYS THE DOGOWNERS SHOULD NEVER PUT WASTEDOWN A STORM DRAIN.

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The town of Rye has increased its fines for improper dog waste disposal to send a message to the public and hopefully find the cause of high bacteria levels in Parson's Creek."That can be contributed to human or animal or wildlife and we are researching that now," Rye Police Chief Kevin Walsh said.In the meantime the police are asking residents living near Parson's Creek to have their septic systems checked in addition to cracking down on dog waste disposal.Signs have been posted in town stating a fine of up to $1,000 could be issued to anyone who is caught leaving dog waste on the road or near water."What we are finding is that people are just dropping them, leaving them on the road, or they are bagging them and they are tossing them into the creek themselves," Walsh said.Peter Aikens, the owner of Petey's seafood along Parson's Creek, has seen it firsthand.He said it's a big issue."They leave it right in the picnic area. They leave it in the parking lot. They leave it on the stone wall and there is a dumpster right there," Aikens said.And while there are many offenders there are also many who clean up after their dogs and said they are in favor of the strict fine."We see it on the beach and we see it on the roads as well," Rye resident Leslie Kole said. "Sometimes it's inadvertent, a bag will fall off of someone's car but people do need to be responsible for their pets and their pet litter."The town is giving out pamphlets of providing information on the proper disposal of dog waste.