Dog Poop – Health & the Environment, Peoria, AZ – Arrowhead Pooper Scoopers
Quick Health Facts:
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) classified pet waste as a dangerous pollutant in the same category as toxic chemicals.
Pet waste can spread parasites including hookworms, ringworms, tapeworms, salmonella, and roundworm.
Roundworm eggs can remain active in the soil long after dog feces has weathered away.
Children are most at risk. Roundworm can cause conditions such as stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma, and blindness. Dog feces is one of the leading sources of E. Coli contamination.
1 gram of dog feces contains over 20 million E. Coli bacteria.
A compost heap will not become hot enough to kill the pathogens in dog feces.
Pathogens in dog feces can contaminate your vegetable garden.
It is widely accepted and advised that the best way to dispose of dog poop is to flush it.
Environmental Statistics:
The average dog produces 152 pounds of solid waste per year.
In a city of 100,000 people, dogs can generate 2 ½ tons of feces per day.
On the spot fines range from $100 in New York
There are 78.2 million dogs in the US today. (ASPCA)
The U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that pet waste can spread parasites including hookworms, ringworms, tapeworms and salmonella.
Studies done in recent years put dog waste 3rd or 4th on the list of contributors to bacteria in contaminated waters. (Microbiologist from University of South Florida) USA Today
At Morro Bay, California, dogs contribute roughly 10% of the E. Coli, and that can be the difference between a beach closing and a beach not closing. (Microbiologist from California Polytechnic State University) USA Today
In Washington DC, officials estimate 12,000 dogs leave more than 5000 pounds of solid waste per day.