Not only is dog waste unpleasant for your eyes and nose, it’s also unpleasant on a microscopic level. Dog waste presents such a to our environment that the EPA classifies it as a pollutant on the same level as toxic chemicals and herbicides.
Pet Waste Left to Decompose Poses Health Risks for Your Community
Dog poop left to decay has far reaching impacts beyond your yard. Dog waste can enter the groundwater and streams in your neighborhood causing problems like algae and weeds, which can choke the ecosystem. Dog waste in streams and lakes can also deplete the oxygen levels in the water, which causes harm to marine life. Locally, in the Chicagoland area, pet waste has been responsible for beach closings on Lake Michigan!
Beyond the ecological impact dog waste also carries with it a host of diseases that can affect both you and your pooch. Many of the parasites and viruses carried in your dog’s waste do not die through decomposition, and can live in your soil for months if the waste is not cleaned up in a timely fashion.
Dog Feces Contains Many Pathogens That Can Be Carried to Waterways
The list of diseases most commonly linked to dog feces:
Out of those, humans are capable of contracting hookworms, tapeworms, threadworms and campylobacteriosis.
Can’t I Just Compost My Dog Waste?
While it is possible to compost your dog waste, it is time intensive, and relies on constant care and high heat in order to kill the diseases contained in dog feces.
If you are interested in composting your dog waste, the following article form the NRCS and USDA has a lot of helpful information: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_035763.pdf
What Can You Do To Help?
If you’re like most in Chicagoland, and have little time, or desire, to clean up after your dog, a pet waste removal company like Pooper Scoopers can help keep your lawn and community clean, and disease free.
Sources:
http://www.aapaw.org/education/dangers-of-dog-poop.html
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/dogs.html
https://www.epa.gov/nps/what-nonpoint-source