The Francesca's Pets
It's not fun and it's even a little gross. This doesn't change the fact that it's necessary for the health of our communities and our environment (it also may be illegal; picking up poop may not be fun, but neither is paying a $750 fine). All responsible dog parents pick up after their pooches. So, why is it so important to pick up dog poop? Cow manure is great for grass. Dog poop is not manure, and it doesn't serve the same purpose. Dogs have a high protein based diet. Our pups eat chicken, beef, pork, etc, and this causes their waste to be highly acidic, which can cause grass to lose its aesthetic appeal. It is not correct to think that dog waste is the same as compost. It will not help plant life or the environment. Surface runoff in our cities carries dog waste to our waterways. Waterways affected by dog waste is as environmentally harmful as oil and mine runoff. The content in dog feces causes an excess growth of algae, which can make waters unable to swim in and unable to fish in. According to the US National Library of Medicine, dog poop that is left on the ground can be a health hazard to people and other animals. Only a small amount of dog waste contains millions of fecal bacteria. Leaving your dog's poop on the street or in parks potentially exposes children and other animals to diseases. Dogs love to sniff and roll around in mysterious matter. Children are curious and love to explore outside. It is senseless to leave something unsanitary and potentially dangerous on the ground for others to be exposed to. Many people have the legitimatthought e worry that poop bags for dogs are bad for the environment too, and they're right. Many poop bag brands advertise their products as "earth friendly" and "biodegradable" when they're really not, or at least their products don't break down as well as they're advertised to. Luckily, there are ways to dispose of dog waste in an environmentally friendly way. It takes no time at all, and it's good for our environment and communities. The Ecological Paw Print Above is a more extensive article that I have written on the topic. I delve deeper into the effects of the bacteria in dog waste, the effects on our waterways, and a solution to the problem. I provide scholarly sources from poignant thought leaders and expand on their ideas. Happy scooping!
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