Washington Waters >
Dog poop
What you can do...
Dog poop
Scoop the poop.
Bag it. Trash it
Dog poop is more than just an icky nuisance. It’s a health risk to
dogs and people, especially children. It’s full of bacteria that can
make people sick. And it’s a source of water pollution.
When it rains, dog poop melts away and runoff carries it to storm
drains, ditches and streams that feed our rivers, lakes and marine
waters.
Bonus points!
Properly disposing of dog poop also helps
you:
- Keep pets healthy.
- Make yards and parks safer and more
pleasant places to play.
- Keep your and your family’s shoes clean.
- Keep out of trouble with local ordinances.
- Support a healthy watershed.
Bacteria from dog poop can end up in shellfish. People who eat
those shellfish can get very sick. The bacteria can also make water
unsafe to drink or to swim in. Nutrients from dog poop can also feed
the growth of aquatic plants and algae. As these decay, they use up
oxygen in the water that fish and other aquatic life need.
Dog poop left on the ground is no small problem. Based on a study
by the American Veterinary Medical Association, it’s estimated that
there are 1.6 million dogs in Washington State. That means hundreds
of tons of new dog poop every day!
Dog poop doesn’t have to be a problem.
What will you do to help?
- Carry plastic bags when
taking your pet for a walk
or a romp in the park.
- Pick up your dog’s waste.
Use a plastic bag, scoop or
disposable gloves. Remember
to wash your hands afterward.
- Seal the waste inside a plastic
bag (or two) and throw it in the
garbage.
- Keep dog poop out of septic systems and sewer systems.
These systems are designed for human waste only.
- Pick up after your dog in your yard every few days—
more often if you have small children who play there.
When your dog goes on the lawn, remember
it doesn’t just go on the lawn.
.
