Pet Waste

Pet waste is a primary contributer to water pollution

Wild animals leave waste spread across natural landscapes. Unlike wild animals, dog waste often accumulates in areas frequented by humans, like parks and hiking trails. It gets carried into streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes by stormwater runoff and can leach into groundwater.

Dogs are also consuming processed foods which are very nutrient-dense and introduce foreign microbes and large amounts of excess nutrients into the environment. These nutrients cause excess algae growth which reduces the oxygen in the water that fish and other aquatic species need to survive.

Pet waste can contain bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, E. coli, Salmonella, and Giardia are just a few examples of potentially harmful pathogens found in dog poop. These pathogens and excess nutrients can persist for years and are often carried into waterways. Even if the waste is bagged and set back down, the plastic or biodegradable material that the bags are made from eventually breaks down and releases these contaminants.

Bagging AND throwing away dog waste in a trash receptacle is the best solution. Burying or composting dog poop may contaminate soil and groundwater, and ‘flushable’ bags can clog septic pipes and sewage treatment plant intake facilities.