Dog waste is more than a smelly mess that becomes
lawn fertilizer. It is a threat to our waterways, drinking water, our health
and the health of the environment. Dogs are in the top 5 among contributors to
bacterial contamination in environmental water. (1) It is estimated that 40% of
pet owners don’t pick up their dog’s waste.
Dog waste is a source of bacteria such as ecoli
and salmonella that can infect humans. In addition, some of the bacteria
shed in dog waste are antibiotic resistant. (3) Animals and humans infected
with these resistant bacteria after drinking contaminated water may be harder
to treat and require stronger antibiotics.
The waste affects the water quality of lakes and
wildlife in them. Nutrients that are released from pet waste promote weed and
algae growth, limiting light penetration and inhibiting the growth of
vegetation under the surface of the water. This reduces oxygen levels in the
water and affects the health of the aquatic life. In addition, the waste
bacteria infect the fish and shellfish, making them unsafe to eat.
Now that you know how harmful your pet’s waste can
be, what can you do to help address the problem? Its simple: carry bags, pick
up your dog’s waste, and put it in the trash. Patrol your yard, pick up the
waste and throw it in the trash. Landfills are designed to handle dog waste and
cat litter.
When pet waste is
improperly disposed of, it can be picked up by stormwater runoff and washed
into stormdrains or nearby waterbodies. Since stormdrains do not always connect
to treatment facilities, untreated animal feces often end up in lakes and
streams, causing significant water pollution.
Decaying pet waste
consumes oxygen and sometimes releases ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia
can damage the health of fish and other aquatic life. Pet waste carries
bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can threaten the health of humans and
wildlife. Pet waste also contains nutrients that promote weed and algae growth
(eutrophication). Cloudy and green, Eutrophic water makes swimming and
recreation unappealing or even unhealthy.
