The Scoop on Dog Poop

Shameeka S. Hardison

Grantham University

The Scoop on Dog Poop
One of the most disrespectful and unsanitary thing a dog owner can do is; allow their dog to urinate or defecate in someone else yard. It is very irritating to look out the window and see someone’s lawn being used as a dumping ground for feces or urine by their neighbor’s dog. This is an issue many people across the world are experiencing in their neighborhoods and fixing the problem is a must for many reasons. It is a matter of being respectful of one’s property, by not allowing your dog to conduct their business on someone else’s lawn. Owning any kind of pet comes with responsibility and liability. Picking up their feces and disposing of it properly is a must!
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 43.5 million households in the United States own a dog (Roberts, 2007). Imagine that out of all these households, only half of them cleaned up after their dogs. Some people are just plain rude or too lazy to pick up after their dogs. Most dogs will start to sniff around before they began to urinate or defecate on the lawn, so politely yank them by the collar and they will move on. Carrying around a doggie poop bag or a simple Wal-Mart bag is a must when walking dogs because exercise stimulates their need to go. Yes, it means picking up your dog feces and carrying it with you but at least you are doing your neighbors and the environment a favor. Another alternative would be, to let the dog relieve himself or she before any walking begins. This way, they are more than likely not to do it in your neighbor’s yard.
Regardless of whether or not people scoop up their dog poop is beside the point, it’s still a nuisance that should be avoided. Avid gardeners spend hundreds of dollars each year buying plants and flowers to beautify their yards, and who wants them ruined due to smelly feces. Dog urine and feces can kill and damage certain types of trees or plants. Not only are dog feces a problem for personal properties but also for public parks. Leaving pet waste on the ground, especially in public areas like parks or playing fields may pose a risk to children, adults, and even pets. Children are always playing in the dirt or rolling around in the grass, in public parks. Scooping your pooch’s poop isn’t just a courtesy for people walking behind you; it’s the healthy and environmentally sound thing to do.
Dog owners should take into consideration of how they would feel if the tables were turned. It is very easy to ignore the problem when you are the culprit who is committing the act. Dog feces should be picked up and disposed of properly regardless if it’s in your own yard, a park, or a neighbor’s yard. Picking up dog feces is a stinky job but somebody got to do it.
Research shows that people can contract roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and other parasites such as E.Coli. These parasites are known to make people really sick. Common symptoms are: diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloody stool, vomiting, and dehydration. A lot of times, young children will eat dirt or sand, which may contain roundworm eggs because of dog feces left on the soil. When infected dog poop comes into contact with your lawn, the poop will eventually "disappear", but the parasite eggs can linger for years! When a human or animal comes into contact with that soil through everyday activities like walking barefoot, gardening or playing, they risk infection from those eggs ... even years after the poop is gone. Having a dog regularly dewormed and up- to- date on shots decrease chances of contracting these parasites but many people cannot afford it.
Another serious reason why dog owners should not allow their dogs to defecate in public places is due to the risk of contaminating water. The risk of water contamination by fecal bacteria may be increased if a watershed includes areas where feces accumulate as a result of specific land uses, such as areas where owners frequently exercise dogs (Garfield & Walker, 2008). Dog poop is a major contributor to storm water pollution. Dog waste is cited as the 3rd or 4th largest contributor of bacterial pollution in urban watersheds. Who wants to drink water that has been contaminated by dog feces? There’s no question that dogs are a man’s best friend. They make great companions and are easier to get along with than most humans. Owning a dog is also beneficial for your health if you walk them daily (Cutt, Knuiman & Giles-Corti, 2008). Walking provides owners with a good cardiovascular workout. Dogs that walk at a faster pace make their owners walk faster to keep up with them. The result is that the pet owners end up burning more calories than they would if they took a leisurely walk. So, having a dog can be a good thing, if you are a responsible owner who cleans up after them.
Cleaning up after your dog isn’t just the neighborly thing to do…it’s also the law. This is a public health concern that is often overlooked but needs to be addressed. Not only is it a health concern for our community and children, but also pets. The best way to prevent these health concerns would be to, use doggie poop bags to clean up after your pet. Then dispose of it properly. Be respectful of your neighbor’s property and also the environment. Do the right thing and scoop up that poop!

References
Cutt, H. E., Knuiman, M. W., & Giles-Corti, B. (2008). Does getting a dog increase recreational walking?. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity, 51-10. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-5-17
Garfield, L., & Walker, M. (2008). Microbial Water Quality and Influences of Fecal Accumulation from a Dog Exercise Area. Journal of Environmental Health, 71(4), 24-29
Roberts, R. (2007). A Walk in the Park. Parks & Recreation, 42(1), 50-53