EPA Says Dog Poop is an Environmental Hazard on Par with Pesticides

Man’s best friend has a dirty little secret, and the Environmental Protection Agency is concerned. The agency estimates that just 2-3 days’ worth waste from only 100 dogs can contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay and all watershed areas to swimming or shell fishing within 20 miles.

Please remember that cleaning up after your dog is not only required by most laws, but it is also your civic duty.

Consider this: There are now more than 77 million pooches living in the United States, and the average dog deposits about ¾ pounds of waste each day. What first appears as a small amount quickly adds up. Picture 267,500 tractor-trailers filled with dog poop. Lined up they would stretch 3,800 miles, from Boston to Seattle. That’s 10 million tons each year.

Sure, some people are conscientious about picking up after their dogs, but many are not, and the risks are having an impact on our communities.

Dog poop is more than just a gross and unsightly mess — it’s an environmental pollutant and a human health hazard. When left on the ground, waste eventually breaks down and washes into the water supply, polluting our rivers, streams, creeks and other local waterways.

Pet waste carries a number of bacteria, parasites and other diseases that can be transmitted to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Dog droppings can transmit different worms that can affect us, especially children. Roundworms, for example, are common in dogs, and can remain alive in the soil for years. According to the CDC, 14 percent of Americans test positive for these worms.

Another hazard is campylobacter bacteria. Although infection can cause transient gastrointestinal problems in healthy adults, they can cause life-threatening infections in infants, older persons, and people with weakened immune systems. Dog waste can also carry E.coli, parvovirus, and salmonella.

In cities, the problem is compounded by rats and other rodents. Dog waste is often a leading food source for rats in urban areas. Rat urine and feces have been linked to a number of diseases that can easily be passed to humans, including leptospirosis, typhus, and salmonellosis.

After reading this article, please take a moment to realize that one of the leading sources of water pollution in communities across America is entirely preventable and can be completely eliminated overnight. Dog owners simply need to take responsibility and pick up after their pets.

Dog Waste Facts

RODENTS

Dog poop attracts rodents such as rats and mice. Inside the excrement there  are usually bits of food that can be a valuable resource to rodents. You won’t see them in the day because rodents come out at night. In our many years of experience in seeing rodent infestations, some of the worst have involved yards where dog feces were left for weeks if not months at a time.

DOG POOP IS NOT FERTILIZER

Dog poop does not make a good fertilizer. It is actually toxic to your lawn, causing burns and unsightly discoloring.

DOG POOP DISEASES

Beyond your grass, it has been estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coli form bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans.

Dog feces are one of the most common carriers of the following diseases:

• Heartworms
• Corona
• Giardiasis
• Salmonellosis
• Cryptosporidiosis
• Campylobacteriosis
• Parvo
• Whipworms
• Hookworms
• Roundworms
• Tapeworms
• Zoonoses

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dog poop can contribute to diseases which animals pass to humans, called zoonoses. When infected dog poop is deposited on your lawn, the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites can linger in your soil for years. Anyone who comes into contact with that soil—be it through gardening, playing sports, walking barefoot or any other means—runs the risk of coming into contact with those eggs; especially your dog.

Why Do Pet Owners Choose Professional Pet Sitting Services?

Pet Benefits:
 

• Pets are creatures of habit and they don't like to deviate from their daily routine. When you hire a pet sitter, your pet gets to remain in their own home. They are most comfortable at home because all of the sights, sounds, and smells are familiar to them.
   
• By taking your pet to a boarding facility, your pet’s eating and exercise routines become interrupted. Because of this fact, some pets will not eat while boarded due to the stress. Additionally, few boarding facilities provide your pet with the amount of exercise they require or are accustomed to in order to be happy, healthy, and content.
   
• Boarding facilities increase the risks of your pet becoming ill due to germs and diseases. There is also constant exposure to unfamiliar animals, which can be very stressful for your pet. Hiring a pet sitter significantly reduces the risks of your pet being exposed to diseases & stressful situations.
   
• Sometimes, the fact that your pet has to travel to and from the boarding facility can be very stressful for them.
   
• Your pet will be more comfortable with the personalized attention that they will receive from a person that they know and trust. Pet sitters are there to care for them as if they are their own beloved pets.
   
• Some boarding facilities may not accept your pet because of their breed. Pet sitters do not discriminate based on breed.
   

Owner Benefits:

• When leaving your pet for an extended period of time, having one less thing to do before going away can be a godsend. Pet sitting services always come to you.
   
• You get peace of mind while you are away knowing that your pet is in good hands in the comfort of their own home.
   
• You no longer have to ask or guilt family and friends into taking care of your pet. Sometimes, family and friends may be unprepared or unwilling to properly care for your pet during your absence. Due to the fact that pet sitters are deep animal lovers, your pet will always be properly cared for and loved during your absence.