ResidentInsomniac
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Location: Oshawa, ON, Canada
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 Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject: Scoop That Poop! |
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Scoop That Poop!
By Bev Storer
You take your best friend for a walk like a good, responsible pet parent and your best bud does his business on the sidewalk, in the street, or perhaps even right on your neighbor's grass.
Do you carry a plastic bag, scoop, and clean it up? Or, are you one of THOSE PEOPLE... You know? The one who looks around, checks to see if anyone's watching and, if your bud wasn't busted by a suspicious watchful eye catching you in the act, you both trot off innocently on your merry way? Are you one of THOSE PEOPLE? The people that don't clean up after their pet.
Many pet owners do not clean up after their pet. So, you might be asking what's the big deal about a little dog poop? Consider the disease impact that poop can have on your health, your kid's and the public's health!
Dog poop contains bacteria. Many Escherichia Coli (E. coli) colonies to be exact. E. coli is a bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded animals. Most E. coli strains are harmless but some can cause serious food poisoning in humans and are occasionally responsible for costly product recalls.
E. coli is a major pollutant in our rivers and streams. Stormwater runoff generated from rain events and snowmelt picks up many pollutants and toxics from impervious surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. Many rivers and creeks and their tributaries throughout the U.S. have bacteria levels that are periodically above water quality (numerical standards) established to support beneficial uses such as water recreation.
Bacteria are a major pollutant of concern in terms of water quality impairment for freshwater ecosystems besides temperature, metals, sediment, toxics, and nutrients (like phosphorus and nitrogen).
Recent bacteria tracing studies in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho indicate that canines (dogs) are a significant source of bacteria contamination to our rivers and streams. Birds were found to be the highest contributor of E. coli followed by rodents, canines, humans, wildlife, agriculture, cats, and unknown sources.
Public outreach, awareness, and education are the best way to deal with this problem. You may have observed "Do Not Feed the Waterfowl" signs at your favorite swimming hole or a "Scoop the Poop" signs and dog-waste bag stations at your Favorite Park or open space.
Dog poop is a serious problem. It can affect the health and sustainability of our rivers, creeks and streams. Next time you are taking your best bud for a walk - do everyone a favor and scoop your dog's poop! Your local waterway, the kids that recreate there and aquatic critters that make it their home will be glad you did!
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Bev Storer writes about human and pet nutrition. For more information about healthy and safe pet foods, please visit Ultra Premium Dog Food or for more information about how marine phytoplankton can keep you healthy, visit FrequenSea with Marine Phytoplankton
Source:
Cats & Dogs
ArcaMax Publishing
http://www.arcamax.com
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