It’s no secret some people don’t always pick up after their dogs. Left-behind poop prompts angry rants on NextDoor.com, complaints among neighbors, and dislike for canines and their humans.
So why does it happen? First, shout out to the responsible dog owners — and there are many. Regardless of where they go with their pup, these people keep poop bags on hand, are aware of their dog’s “dooings,” and welcome yells of “poop alert!” in their direction when they miss seeing Fido do his business. Most importantly, they always pick up when their pet drops a “nuisance.”
But then there are those dog owners who don’t. They look elsewhere when their pet squats or justify leaving poop behind as no big deal — and hey, it might even benefit the environment!
To dispel some myths and encourage everyone to come clean, here are seven reasons you should always pick up after your pooch: 1) It’s the law. State laws and local ordinances requiring dog owners to clean up after their animals are common across the United States. Depending on their location, violators can face fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, plus court costs.
2) It’s a health hazard. Dog waste spreads parasites and bacteria, including dangerous pathogens like E. coli, salmonella, and giardia, which can make people, wildlife and other dogs sick.
3) It kills grass. Unlike vegetarian-generated cow manure, dog poop is not fertilizer. The stool of your protein-digesting bow wow is packed with nitrogen and phosphorus, an overload of nutrients that is toxic to grass.
4) It’s bad for the environment. Dog poop doesn’t go anywhere fast (or good) on its own. While it slowly decomposes and “burns” away, rain and lawn watering can wash bits of it into storm drains, contaminating nearby water sources.
5) It attracts rodents and coyotes. Dog poop is considered the top food source for rats and mice in developed areas. The same smelly undigested nutrients in dog poop that draw rodents also attract coyotes and even bears seeking a regular food supply.
6) It helps you monitor your dog’s health. Observing changes in your dog's feces can alert you to health problems and help your vet identify issues such as digestive disorders, dehydration or the presence of parasites in your dog.
7) PooPrints is coming for you. Dog DNA tracker PooPrints and similar services that can trace dog poop to owners are growing in popularity across all 50 states, bringing poop policing and steep fines to a neighborhood near you.
The truth is, there are no valid excuses for not picking up after your dog. It's a simple but important responsibility that all dog owners should take seriously whenever they head outdoors with man’s best friend.
By doing so, you contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable community for everyone. Plus, you represent all dog owners well when you do.