Meet the “Poo Fairy” of Manhattan
Sometimes, you just have to take action.
A model from Manhattan has earned the nickname “poo fairy” after tackling the issue of dog waste that surfaced with the recent snow melt. Olivia Bannerman is determined to clear her Upper West Side area of the unsightly mess left behind by irresponsible dog owners who enjoyed weeks of frigid weather.
“It’s disgusting. It’s crazy!” she shared about the situation in her favorite park, Riverside Park, where she often walks her golden retriever, Violet.
According to Bannerman, she feels like they’ve barely made a dent in the mess.
With a doggy bag in hand and a cheerful attitude, she’s out there cleaning up the green space at least twice daily—an endeavor she likens to an awkward “Easter egg hunt.”
Riverside Park has become so overwhelmed with animal waste that it takes this 28-year-old only about 15 minutes to fill each doggy bag, which typically holds around 15 pieces of waste.
“It drives me crazy when I leave home without a bag and see piles of poop everywhere, thinking, ‘Oh my god, I need more bags!'” she admitted, noting the expense of the bags as she balances her work as a software designer and model.
The problem of dog waste has been escalating long before Bannerman took on her unofficial role as the “Poop Fairy.” The name was initially introduced by former Congressman Eric Bottcher, who urged dog owners to clean up after their pets since there’s no magical being to do it for them.
In a rather unpleasant scenario, many dog owners attempted to cover their pets’ waste with snow, only for it to harden into ice, resulting in a serious cleanup challenge once the snow melted.
From January 25 to the present, the city’s complaint hotline received an astonishing 643 calls about dog waste, marking a nearly 94% increase from last year and a 160% jump since just two weeks ago.
Rather than just complain, Bannerman decided to take action for her community. As someone new to New York, she feels responsible for helping to keep her surroundings clean.
“I may not have been born here, but I live here and enjoy all it offers. We’re in a densely populated area, and our individual actions impact us all,” she reflected.
“This is my way of giving back to the city. Sure, I get to walk in cleaner neighborhoods, but it’s a reminder of our interconnectedness.”
Recently, she even took to social media to call out lazy dog owners who refuse to clean up after their pets.
Her neighbors have recognized her efforts, dubbing her the “Poop Fairy,” a title she’s embraced.
“I guess I really am a poop fairy! I pick up poop daily!” she laughed.
“It might not be a glamorous title, but the job feels vital, so I’ll proudly own it.”
