Why Dog Poop is not good for the environment!
We all love our dogs and as responsible dog owners it is important to properly dispose of pet
waste whether it lands on the sidewalk, the neighbor’s lawn, in the park, or in your own yard. 
Pet waste is more than a smelly nuisance.  It is a pollutant carried to our waterways by
stormwater runoff.  It is a source of pathogens and nutrients all of which degrade water quality. 
Excess nutrients impair water quality, causing harmful and nuisance algal blooms.  Poor water
quality in streams and rivers means higher water treatment costs and reduced recreational
use.    
The ecosystem doesn’t gracefully embrace dog waste. If left intact, it can take more than a year
to break down and can quickly turn any outdoor area into a site unfit for pets and humans. In
addition to the mess and smell, raw dog waste kills grass and other landscaping. Dropped along
trails, it kills native plants and encourages noxious weed infestation. Residual waste left at
ground zero runs off untreated into storm sewers and waterways.  Dogs are third or fourth on
the list of contributors to bacteria in contaminated waters, increasing the potential for serious
diseases, including cholera and dysentery. The EPA estimates that two days’ worth of dog
waste from about 100 dogs can create enough pollution to close a bay and all the watersheds
within 20 miles. (smea.uw.edu)

In addition to threats to humans, bacteria that feed on dog waste deplete oxygen, killing native
aquatic life. The bacteria also feed algae blooms which block sunlight and suffocate fish. Dog
waste toxins themselves can significantly increase fish mortality.
Dog poop in the yard is also dangerous – especially if you have children. The poo left behind
leaves the eggs of its parasites in the soil for years to come. This means anytime you walk
barefoot on the soil or your kids play in the dirt, it means there is a possibility they will come in
contact with parasites, such as hookworms, ringworms, and tapeworms.
Pet waste is also dangerous for the dogs themselves. If the remaining parasites from poos of
the past remain in your yard, your dog can continue to pick them up and get sick. If your dog
becomes sick with Giardia infections (from poop) and treated by a veterinarian and then returns
to the same poop-filled yard, he/she will get it all over again. Owners must make an effort to
clean up the mess.
As a dog owner, this is what you can do: 
 ALWAYS carry poop bags with you whenever you are out and about with your dog. Take
more than you think you will need…you never know.
 PICK IT UP! Every. Single. Time.
 Tie the bag closed and toss it in the garbage. Dog poop CANNOT go in compost or yard
waste bins.
 Pick up poops in your yard weekly (more often is better and definitely before a big rain).