Scooper Delights and Doggie bags?…and no, I?’m not talking takeout here people. Yes, you know what I?’m talking about?…Pet Poop. It?’s not a subject that we like to talk about much, but it is something that we should all be concerned about. Walking around our neighborhood or our park, it has become more apparent that we need to talk about this topic. Being aware of what our laws say about regulating the care of pets in this respect; realizing the affects of Canine and Feline fecal matter on our neighborhood, our environment and our health; these are a few ways we can actively improve our community. It might sound intimidating, but really, there are some inexpensive and easy solutions we can consider to prevent and correct these problems.
Everyone knows that dogs can carry parasites. While fresh fecal matter is not a risk, the eggs present in the feces hatch anywhere from 3 weeks to a year after expulsion. It is estimated that 20% of adult dogs and 95% of puppies are infected with the Toxocara Canis parasite. This parasite can infect humans of all ages through fecal contamination. It results in an infection in humans known as Visceral Larvae Migrans or VLM. For the most part, this infestation largely goes undiagnosed in humans and there is no definite cure. Serious long-term health problems such as blindness and neurological disorders can result if VLM infects certain parts of the body such as the eyes or the brain. Another parasite passed on by fecal contamination is Toxocariasis. This parasite generally affects children under the age of 10 simply because they enjoy playing outside in the grass or dirt, and their hygiene habits are still being developed. This parasite has the potential to cause an enlarged liver, spleen, compromised vision and severe swelling in the lungs. Although it can be treated with medication, it has been known to have negative long-term affects. And it all happened from playing at a place that should be relatively carefree?… the park.
Our environment is certainly another aspect of concern when it comes to fecal contamination. When feces are left in a public area, the beauty of that area becomes tarnished. A place that should be enjoyed by all is reduced to a place we are reluctant to go because of the necessity of dodging doggie land mines. Can you imagine trying to comfortably play football or tag in a park that was affected by dog feces? Now imagine being in your own yard and feeling this way. Having to clean up after a neighbor?’s pet has to be one of the most frustrating yard chores ever. Not only do the aesthetics and feel of the park or private yard become less pleasant, but the water sources within the area become contaminated also. Feces contribute greatly to the amounts of phosphorus, nitrate and most dangerously E. Coli to our downstream waters where storm drain collections are diverted. This negatively impacts our environment despite the fact that laws have been passed to control fecal contamination.
Everyone knows that dogs can carry parasites. While fresh fecal matter is not a risk, the eggs present in the feces hatch anywhere from 3 weeks to a year after expulsion. It is estimated that 20% of adult dogs and 95% of puppies are infected with the Toxocara Canis parasite. This parasite can infect humans of all ages through fecal contamination. It results in an infection in humans known as Visceral Larvae Migrans or VLM. For the most part, this infestation largely goes undiagnosed in humans and there is no definite cure. Serious long-term health problems such as blindness and neurological disorders can result if VLM infects certain parts of the body such as the eyes or the brain. Another parasite passed on by fecal contamination is Toxocariasis. This parasite generally affects children under the age of 10 simply because they enjoy playing outside in the grass or dirt, and their hygiene habits are still being developed. This parasite has the potential to cause an enlarged liver, spleen, compromised vision and severe swelling in the lungs. Although it can be treated with medication, it has been known to have negative long-term affects. And it all happened from playing at a place that should be relatively carefree?… the park.
Our environment is certainly another aspect of concern when it comes to fecal contamination. When feces are left in a public area, the beauty of that area becomes tarnished. A place that should be enjoyed by all is reduced to a place we are reluctant to go because of the necessity of dodging doggie land mines. Can you imagine trying to comfortably play football or tag in a park that was affected by dog feces? Now imagine being in your own yard and feeling this way. Having to clean up after a neighbor?’s pet has to be one of the most frustrating yard chores ever. Not only do the aesthetics and feel of the park or private yard become less pleasant, but the water sources within the area become contaminated also. Feces contribute greatly to the amounts of phosphorus, nitrate and most dangerously E. Coli to our downstream waters where storm drain collections are diverted. This negatively impacts our environment despite the fact that laws have been passed to control fecal contamination.
