DOG POOP! A HEALTH HAZARD

78.2 million dogs deposit 30,000 tons of waste every day, 10,000,000 tons of waste a year. That’s 267,000 tractor trailers fully loaded with doggie doo, lined bumper to bumper that would stretch from Seattle to Boston.

According to the EPA, dog waste is considered non-point source pollution along with herbicides, insecticides, oil, grease, toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production, salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines. Bacteria, worms and other parasites thrive in waste, eventually washing away into the water supply. 

Two or three days worth of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs can contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay and all watershed areas within 20 miles to swimming and shell fishing. 

Dog feces are common carriers of heartworms, whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, parvovirus, giardia, salmonella and e.coli.  These parasites are added to water pollution through lawn runoffs and street drains and can be transmitted to humans. 

The longer dog waste stays on the ground, the greater the contamination. Roundworm is one of the most common parasite found in dog waste and can remain infectious in contaminated soil and water for years.  A recent CDC study found 14% of Americans tested positive for roundworms.


SO PLEASE TAKE THOSE BAGGIES AND PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
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Established in August of 2008 by writerartist Dianne V. Lawrence, The Neighborhood News covers the events, people, history, politics and historic architecture of communities throughout the Mid-City and West Adams area in Los Angeles Council District 10.

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