naturalpet
g
ood weather brings more people
and their dogs outdoors. But,
not everyone picks up after their
pooch. Unfortunately, the presence
A Better
of dog piles where we walk, picnic
and play has become a common and Pooper
unwelcome sight in our parks, beside
paths and walkways, and even in neigh-
Scooper
borhood flowerbeds.
No one likes cleaning up after their
dog, but it is the law in many commu-
by Crissy Trask
nities. Even where no pet waste control
ordinance exists, picking up your pet’s
waste immediately is the courteous
thing to do when it lands anywhere but
on your own property.
Pet waste that is left on the ground
isn’t just unpleasant; it’s also a source
of urban pollution and a health hazard.
That’s because pet feces, left sitting,
wash into storm drains and waterways.
Bacterial pollution is a serious problem
facing U.S. waters and, according to the
their um… production… this can use a
DOG WASTE
Center for Watershed Protection, pet
lot of extra water. IS A THREAT TO THE HEALTH OF
OUR CHILDREN - DEGRADES
waste is a significant source of bacterial
contamination in our urban watersheds.
2. Install an in-ground
Tips
OUR TOWN - TRANSMITS DISEASE
LEASH - CURB AND
CLEAN UP
AFTER YOUR
Further, animal waste left behind
for Easier
DOG
where children and dogs play can
waste digester. An in-ground
spread disease to humans and other
digester acts like a mini-septic system.
Pickup of
animals. It’s no wonder that neighbors
With the addition of a digester liquid
Pet Waste
IT’S REQUIRED
BY LAW!
and friends find such irresponsible ac-
or powder, waste quickly breaks down
ORDINANCE #12345
tions distasteful.
into organic matter and is absorbed into
While most pet owners know bet-
the soil. If you use biodegradable corn-
If using a shovel, a garden
ter than to leave waste on the ground,
starch bags to pick up after a pet, you
hoe helps pluck the pile up
it’s evident that many do—especially
can toss the bag right into the system.
and into the shovel.
when they think no one is looking.
For more information on cornstarch
Taking pet waste seriously is every pet
bags and pet digesters, go to Compos-
Buy dark bags that hide
owner’s responsibility, no matter how
ters.com/main.html and scroll down
contents, such as Pooch
objectionable they find that to be. This
the page to Pet Waste Management. Pet
Pick-up Bags (Kyjen.com)
means removing it from public and pri-
digesters should not be buried in any
or BioBag for pets (Bio-
vate property to cut down on contami-
garden where food is grown.
BagUSA.com), which are
nated runoff and reduce health risks.
biodegradable.
Whether you’re a thoughtful poop- 3. Throw it in the trash.
Carry a second bag on
er scooper or still working to reform, If local law permits, pet waste can be
walks to hold the pickup
when you scoop pet poop, there’s still sealed in a plastic bag and added to the
bag. This affords more
the matter of its disposal. Owners have trash. However, when it is incinerated
privacy.
three imperfect choices: or put in a landfill, it can cause pollu-
tion problems.
Think ahead before bring-
1. Flush it. Flushing pet waste
ing pet waste indoors, to
means it will be treated either at the
Crissy Trask, author of It’s Easy Being
avoid unfortunate acci-
sewage plant or by a septic system.
Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly
dents. Clear a path and lift
Unfortunately, this requires bring-
Living, is a freelance writer and a green
up the seat on the toilet
ing animal waste indoors—a difficult
living advisor based in Spokane, WA.
ahead of time.
choice for some—and depending on
She can be reached at
the number of animals you have and
CT@GreenMatters.com.
2 Collier / Lee Counties
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