There seems to be a whole lot of concern about picking up poop these days. On our weekly was around the lake in Carolina Beach (we do Farmers Market there every Saturday) we spotted this sign.
We were very amused, and after posting it to facebook, realized a whole lot of people found the wording just as strange as we did.
While having animal waste in a public place is unseemly, there are real environmental concerns related to not scooping the poop.
According to the Stormwater Manager’s Resource Center “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.”
IN Washington’s Puget Sound area they have created this cleaver video to remind people to scoop the poop.
Studies have shown that men are less prone to pick up after their dog than women. This chart shows the reasons most often given for why people don’t scoop and why the do.
While I agree, it’s a dirty job! No one wants to pick up poop, but in the infamous words of Nike, JUST DO IT! Your neighbors and the fish will thank you.
and remember, there is no obstacle you can’t get around if you’re willing to run, jump, tunnel or weave!
Wrigley
You can also follow my adventures on twitter @wrigleysoapguru or on facebook http://www.facebook.com/wrigleysoapguru
