Poo-lution Awareness

Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet:

Animal Waste Collection

Description

Animal waste collection as a pollution source control involves using a combination of educational outreach and enforcement to encourage residents to clean up after their pets. The presence of pet waste in stormwater runoff has a number of implications for urban stream water quality with perhaps the greatest impact from fecal bacteria (for more information see Microbes in Urban Watersheds: Concentrations, Sources and Pathways, Article 17 in The Practice of Watershed Protection). According to recent research, non-human waste represents a significant source of bacterial contamination in urban watersheds. Genetic studies by Alderiso et al. (1996) and Trial et al. (1993) both concluded that 95 percent of the fecal coliform found in urban stormwater was of non-human origin. Bacterial source tracking studies in a watershed in the Seattle, Washington area also found that nearly 20% of the bacteria isolates that could be matched with host animals were matched with dogs. This bacteria can pose health risks to humans and other animals, and result in the spread of disease. It has been estimated that for watersheds of up to twenty-square miles draining to small coastal bays, two to three days of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria and nutrients to temporarily close a bay to swimming and shellfishing (US EPA, 1993).

Pet waste can also be a factor in eutrophication of lakes. The release of nutrients from the decay of pet waste promotes weed and algae growth, limiting light penetration and the growth of aquatic vegetation. This in turn can reduce oxygen levels in the water, affecting fish and other aquatic organisms.

Animal waste collection programs use awareness and education, signs, and pet waste control ordinances to alert residents to the proper disposal techniques for pet droppings. In some parts of the country, the concept of parks or portions of parks established specifically for urban dog owners has gained in popularity. With provisions for proper disposal of dog feces and siting and design to address stormwater runoff, these parks may represent another option for protecting local water quality.

Applicability

Pet ownership is not limited by factors such as region of the country, climate, or topography. For this reason, educational outreach regarding animal waste is appropriate throughout the country. In a survey of Chesapeake Bay residents, it was found that about 40% of households own a dog. Just about half of these dog owners actually walked their dog in public areas. Of the half that did walk their dog, about 60% claimed to pick up after their dog (Swann, 1999), which is generally consistent with other studies (Table 1). Men were found to be less prone to pick up after their dog than women (Swann, 1999).

Residents seem to be of two minds when it comes to dog waste. While a strong majority agree that dog waste can be a water quality problem (Hardwick, 1997; Swann, 1999), they generally rank it as the least important local water quality problem (Syferd, 1995 and MCSR, 1997). This finding strongly suggests the need to dramatically improve watershed education efforts to increase public recognition about the water quality and health consequences of dog waste.

  Summary of Dog Waste Collection Surveys

Maryland

(HGIC, 1996)

 62% always cleaned up after the dog, 23% sometimes, 15% never

Disposal method: trash can (66%), toilet (12%), other 22%

Washington

(Hardwick, 1997)

 Pet ownership 58%

51% of dog owners do not walk dogs

69% claimed that they cleaned up after the dog

31% do not pick up

Disposal methods: trash can 54%, toilet 20%, compost pile 4%

4% train pet to poop in own yard

85% agreed that pet wastes contribute to water quality problems

Chesapeake Bay

(Swann, 1999)

 Dog ownership 41%

44% of dog owners do not walk dogs

Dog walkers who clean up most/all of the time 59%

Dog walkers who never or rarely cleanup 41%

Of those who never or rarely clean up, 44% would not cleanup even with fine, complaints, or improved sanitary collection or disposal methods

63% agreed that pet wastes contribute to water quality problems

Design Considerations

Programs to control pet waste typically use "pooper-scooper" ordinances to regulate pet waste cleanup. These ordinances require the removal and proper disposal of pet waste from public areas and other peoples property before the dog owner leaves the immediate area. Often a fine is associated with failure to perform this act as a way to encourage compliance. Some ordinances also include a requirement that pet owners remove pet waste from their own property within a prescribed time frame.

Public education programs are another way to encourage pet waste removal. Often pet waste messages are incorporated into a larger non-point source message relaying the effects of pollution on local water quality. Brochures and public service announcements describe proper pet waste disposal techniques and try to create a storm drain-water quality link between pet waste and runoff.

Signs in public parks and the provision of receptacles for pet waste also encourage cleanup.

Another option for pet waste management is the use of specially designated dog parks where pets are allowed off-leash. These parks typically include signs reminding pet owners to remove waste, as well as other disposal options for pet owners. The following management options have been used in Australian dog parks and could be incorporated for dog parks here (source: Harlock Jackson et al., 1995):

• Doggy loos: These disposal units are installed in the ground and decomposition occurs within the unit. Minimal maintenance is required (no refuse collection).

• Pooch patch: A pole is placed in the park surrounded by a light scattering of sand. Owners are encouraged to introduce their dog to the pole on entry to the park. Dogs then return to the patch to defecate and special bins are provided in which owners then place the deposit.

• The 'Long Grass Principle': Dogs are attracted to long grass for defecating and areas that are mowed less frequently can be provided for feces to disintegrate naturally. A height of around 10 cm is appropriate.

The design of these dog parks should be done to mitigate stormwater impacts. The use of vegetated buffers, pooper-scooper stations, and the siting of parks out of drainage-ways, streams and steep slopes will help control the impacts of dog waste on receiving water

PUBLIC AWARENESS

If your children love playing with pets as much as my daughters do, you will want to take note of the health risks associated with having a pet.

It had been over five years since I owned a dog.

My desire to keep my daughter'senvironment as safe as possible provoked me to do some thorough

research on pet safety.

I have provided several links I found

discussing family and pet safety.

Major risks:

1. Parasites

2. Toxoplasmosis

3. Salmonella Contaminated Pet Treats

The three most important safety items are:

1. Thoroughly wash hands after interacting with your pet.

2. Eliminate parasites by regular deworming.

3. Clean pet feces on a regular basis to remove

potentially infected eggs before the eggs are

disseminated in the environment via rain, insects,

or the active migration of larvae.

Why is scooping poop so important?

We all know dog poop stinks. But there is so much more to it than that.

Dog poop contains bacteria, diseases, and parasites.

It pollutes the ground water that eventually supplies our drinking water sources.

It attracts flies and other insects.

Don't let poop control your back yard - let us control the poop!

Some diseases that can be spread from pet waste to HumansareCampylobacteriosis- a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea in humans.

Salmonellosis- the most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans from animals. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches,vomiting, and diarrhea.

Toxocarisis- roundworms transmitted from animals to humans. Symptoms include vision loss, rash, fever, or cough.

Giardiasis - a diarrheal illness caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite Once an animal or person has been infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in the stool. Because the parasite is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time.

If you have children, you know that they touch anything and everything. And, they put their hands in their mouths. Protect your little ones from these awful diseases. Let us scoop your poop!

Other diseases such as Parvovirus, Coccidia, and Distemper can be spread from dog to dog through infected waste. Dog poop can also contain roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.

Dog poop contains organic matter and nutrients that break down as the poop decomposes. This matter releases ammonia, phosphorus, and nitrogen as it degrades. This causes burn spots on your lawn. Also, these potentially harmful elements and the above mentioned diseases are washed away with rain and

find their way back into your drinking water supply. Ice cold saturation!!!!!

Flies like poop. They also like your food. Chances are good that if you have piles of poop in your yard, any flies that are enjoying your picnic have also enjoyed some poop. Yuck, Yuck, Yuck!

One way to prevent the spread of these nasty problems is to remove and dispose of your dog's waste on a regular basis. We can do that for you!!

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