141 West Renfro Street, Burleson, Texas 76028
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Pet Waste

Do the right thing.

 

Pet waste is not only smelly and unsightly, but it is a health risk to pets and people and a water quality issue. When walking your dog, always carry a plastic baggie to scoop up the waste. Dispose of sealed baggies in the trash. Clean up dog waste in your yard at least once a week and dispose of it in the trash.

Click here for more tips.

Lisa Duello
Director of
Neighborhood Services
817-426-9841
E-mail:
lduello@burlesontx.com

Bianca Chafin
Environmental Programs Specialist
817-426-9842
E-mail:
bchafin@burlesontx.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Risk

Pet waste that is not disposed of properly can put your health, your dog's health, and your child's health at risk.

Parvovirus is a serious, highly contagious disease that affects dogs of any age, breed, or sex. It is highly contagious to unvaccinated puppies. A dog may be a carrier of the disease without even showing signs of being infected. It affects the intestinal lining, causing diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and even death. It is transmitted by contact with infected dog waste either directly or indirectly through soiled shoes, car tires, and anything else that it touches. The virus can remain infectious on the ground for six months or even longer!

Dog waste can also affect people. Some of the diseases or parasites that can be transmitted to people from dog waste include campylobacteriosis, cryptosporidium, and toxocariasis. Children playing in the yard
That’s why it is important to not leave dog waste on the ground. Help keep pets and people safe and healthy by picking up after your dog.

Water Quality Issue

Pollutants from improperly disposed pet waste may be washed into storm drains by rain or melting snow. Storm drains in North Central Texas then drain directly intour lakes and streams, carrying many pollutants along with the water. This water is NOT treated or cleaned before it empties into a body of water.

When pet waste is washed into lakes or streams the waste decays, using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly fertile water becomes cloudy and green--unattractive for swimming, boating, and fishing.

Pet waste also carries diseases which make water unsafe for activities like swimming.

That's why it is important to not leave dog waste on the ground. Help protect our water quality by picking up after your dog.

Tips for Dealing with Pet Waste

  • Attach a small bag or pouch to your dog’s leash so that you can always carry a supply of baggies.
  • Be creative in re-using materials for picking up pet droppings! Save plastic bread bags, plastic newspaper sleeves, or plastic produce bags and use them as scooping baggies.
  • When using a baggie or plastic bag, slip it over your hand like a mitt, pick up the droppings, hold a top corner of the bag with your other hand, and quickly flip it inside-out. Then, dispose of it in a trash can.
  • Once a week, clean up droppings around your yard and dispose of them in the trash can. Pet waste composters are available commercially, check them out.

Take Action – Pledge to DOO the Right Thing

Pledge to DOO the Right Thing and pick up after your dog. Owners who take the pledge during the months of April, May, June, July, and August will have an opportunity to show off their dog in the online 2010 Top Dog Photo Gallery. The top 12 dogs will be featured in a 2011 one-page calendar. 

This page last updated June 16, 2010

 
 
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