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.
