Focus on Feces: Spice Girl's Pooch Leaves Pungent Present

April 8, 2001 London, UK

In keeping with The Scoop's dedication to bringing you the hottest news the minute it drops, wherever it drops...

London, UK—Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) recently made the front page when she took her little dog shopping, and "he did a Shih-tzu all over the floor of a posh boutique" (reports The Star).

Harry, Ms. Halliwell's 15-pound (7 kg) lap-dog, decided to help decorate Joseph's of West London by leaving his special mark on their plush carpet.

Joseph's simply brushed it off (so to speak), saying, "Some shops ban all dogs except for guide dogs, but we don't mind - it's not a problem if they are going to spend thousands of pounds."

But in the commotion, both Ms. Halliwell and Harry quickly slipped out the door, leaving only a steaming mound.

She'd probably just used up her last baggie and was running back home to get some more.

Paris, France—Ms. Halliwell is lucky it didn't happen in the City of Lights, where the offense could have cost her $600 (USD) in fines.

Paris officials are at the brink of desperation in trying to keep the streets clean (read last month's article: "Paris Proposes Public Potties For Pooches").

With the 2008 Olympic bids in high-gear, Paris hopes to impress the International Olympic Committee, who will announce the winning city in less than three months.

Beijing, the leading Olympic contender, has tried to sling the mud at Paris, and in a recent article, the Chinese Communist Party declared, ''Certain areas [of Paris] leave something to be desired when it comes to cleanliness. In particular, errant dogs and rabid dogs are increasingly numerous.''

Claude Bebear, president of the Paris bid committee shot back, "They do the same thing everywhere.  It's just that there are no dogs in China, because they eat them."

(Ouch.  Read last month's "Man Bites Dog" article to see what he means.)

Anchorage, Alaska, USA—The ice is beginning to break up in Alaska, and perhaps to lessen the load and prevent a potential avalanche, Anchorage has declared it "Scoop the Poop Week".

Between April 16 and 21, Anchorage residents will suit up and hit the trails, armed with plastic bags and pooper scoopers.

Whether you're an Anchorage dog-owner who hasn't been so diligent in your duties, a resident concerned about health and aesthetic issues, or if you just have a thing for dog poop, call the Anchorage Parks & Recreation Dept. at 343-4474 for more information.

Related article: "Focus On Feces Part II: Doo-doo Duty With Dignity" (April 11, 2001)

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