When pet waste is left on the ground or disposed of improperly, water quality and your health may be at risk.  Storm water runoff can pick up pet waste as it washes down storm drains, drainage ditches, and into our creeks, rivers, and lakes.  Pet waste that is not picked up can pollute our water

Bacteria, parasites, and viruses contained in pet waste are a health hazard.  Pets, children who play outside, and adults who garden are at risk of infection from these pathogens.  Consider some of these:

• Fecal coliform.

Found in the feces of warm blooded animals, this indicator bacteria is a potential health risk for individuals exposed to it in the water.  A single gram of pet waste contains an average of 23 million fecal coliform bacteria.

• Salmonellosis.

The most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans and other animals.

• Taxocariasis.

Roundworms usually transmitted from dogs to humans.

• Taxoplasmosis.

A parasite carried by cats that can be a problem for people with depressed immune systems.

Other problems…

Pet waste not only risks the health of other animals and people, it can cause serious water quality problems.  Pet waste is high in nutrients, which feed the weeds and algae that can choke out our creeks and lakes.  The water becomes cloudy and green – unattractive for swimming, boating, and fishing.  Excessive nutrients are a major cause of water quality decline. 

When pet waste is washed into lakes and streams, the waste decays, using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia.  Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish and other aquatic life.

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 either flush them down the toilet, or dispose of in the trash can.  Pet waste composters are available commerically, check them out.

Pledge to Doo the Right Thing!
Take the pledge to pick up your pet’s waste by visiting the North Central Texas Council of Governments environmental services page.