Manfred from Braubach is placing flags in piles of dog feces.
In the picturesque town of Braubach, nestled along the Rhine, a retired chef named Manfred Heßler has taken it upon himself to maintain the cleanliness of the streets and bike paths for the past five years. His unusual method of placing colorful paper flags in dog poop has become a familiar sight to the town's residents.
Heßler's vigilance stems from his frustration with the persistent problem of dog poop and carelessly thrown away poop bags in various municipalities across the region, including Braubach. The B42, the promenade, the bike path, and the rose garden by the Rhine are not immune to this issue.
However, cities like Mayen and Koblenz, with their ample facilities, offer hope. Mayen boasts 240 trash cans and 30 dog stations, while Koblenz boasts about 1,300 public paper bins and 50 poop bag dispensers. Yet, despite these resources, dog poop remains a persistent problem in many areas. Even in northern Rhineland-Palatinate, municipalities like Neuwied have faced issues with dog owners stuffing poop bags into sewers.
Despite initial hostility, Heßler's efforts have garnered attention and approval from some residents who appreciate his dedication to keeping the city clean. His actions have even caught the eye of local media, sparking discussions within the community.
Heßler's crusade began in 2020 when he started collecting trash in Braubach, growing increasingly frustrated with the leftovers on the side of the road. It was then that he came up with the idea to use colorful paper flags, similar to skewers, to mark the dog poop as a hint to dog owners. The flags, which are not harmful to the environment and do not cause any damage to the ground, have become his weapon in the fight against litter.
Initially, Heßler faced hostility, including having three flat tires on his car and a poop bag tied to his car door. However, he continues to patrol the city of Braubach, believing his efforts against dog poop have shown results over the years. Piles of dog poop on popular walking routes have diminished, and Heßler reports a significant improvement in the poop situation in Braubach, distributing half as many flags as before.
Heßler does not hold the city administration responsible for the dog poop issue, stating it's a matter of changing people's behavior. His actions serve as a reminder to dog owners to clean up after their pets, fostering a cleaner and more pleasant environment for all residents and visitors of Braubach.
In neighbouring towns like Mayen and the Verbandsgemeinde Altenkirchen-Flammersfeld, dog poop and carelessly thrown away poop bags continue to be a constant nuisance, often ending up in parks and meadows instead of provided trash cans. Heßler's actions in Braubach serve as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that one person can make a difference in their community.
