Do your part and Scoop the Poop

posted on: 5/28/2019

Rain or snow runoff can carry pet waste directly into waterways or storm drains, which usually empty without any treatment into a stream, river, or estuary. Untreated fecal matter can be a source of harmful bacteria and nutrients. Just as we don’t want human sewage in our water, it is important to prevent pet waste from being carried into our waterways.

It isn’t just water quality that can suffer. Leaving pet waste on the ground, especially in public areas like parks or playing fields, may pose a risk to children, adults, and even pets.

Pet waste carries disease causing organisms such as Giardia and Salmonella which can make water unsafe for drinking or swimming; to protect the public from illness, swimming beaches and shellfish beds can be shut down due to bacterial contamination, and pet waste can be a cause of that contamination.

Pet waste left on playing fields or in parks can be unhealthy and messy.

Let’s work together to keep pet waste out of our water resources and recreational areas.

Scooping your pooch’s poop isn’t just a courtesy for those walking behind you; it’s the healthy and environmentally sound thing to do. Picking up after your dog is not only easy, in Dover it’s the law.

You can help do your part by taking a pledge to pick up after your pooch, part of the Every Drop Counts initiative. Take the pledge here: http://stateofourestuaries.org/everydrop/petpledge.

For more information, including tips, visit the City of Dover's pet waste web page here.