Doggie-Bags Addresses a Public Nuisance and the Serious Health Issues Caused by Exposure to Dog Waste
Published on April 29, 2010 by Jennifer White · 3 CommentsImagine more than 10 million tons (9 million metric tons) of animal waste annually! Where does it all go? According to William Brinton, president of Woods End Laboratories, Inc., a non-profit research organisation, 10 million tons (9 million metric tons) of dog and cat waste is generated annually in the U.S. The lab has specialised in analyzing animal waste since 1974.
Besides being a public nuisance, experts agree that conservatively more than four million tons of dog waste pollutes America’s waterways each year. This results in contaminating drinking water and exposes serious health threats to children who come in contact with pet waste when playing in the yard, at a park, while at camp, or during a day at the beach.
Essentially, wherever large numbers of dogs congregate, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention Division of Parasitic Diseases, the issue of dog waste is a serious and growing concern nationwide.
In recognition of this growing public health issue, Doggie-Bags, the industry leader in the design and manufacture of biodegradable dog waste clean-up bags and dispensers, today announced that Doggie-Bags has launched a national public education campaign in support of “National Scoop the Poop Week” which is observed this week through April 30.
Doggie-BagsResponds to a Serious Problem with a Cost-Effective Solution
“Four million tons of dog waste is more than a nasty nuisance,” says Alan Wald, founder and designer of Doggie-Bags products. “Dog waste is increasingly becoming a serious health crisis by posing health hazards for children and adults alike.”
According to the CDC, dog waste transmits several common parasites, including Round Worm, also known as Toxocariasis, Campylobacteriosis, a bacteria causing gastrointestinal illnesses in humans, and Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness in humans. These diseases can be particularly serious to children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Mr. Wald adds, “While our company has grown year after year, we are finding that dog clean-up is increasingly a problem for home owners, in camp grounds, around apartment complexes, in city parks, at dog-friendly beaches, and a myriad of other locations where there are dogs.” He added, “Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness on this issue.
“We are stepping up our public education efforts on this important issue and are currently in discussions with national retail stores in helping to increase awareness, and supply earth-friendly resources that will ultimately reduce the amount of animal waste contaminating ground water and the earth. By taking positive action we honor our corporate mission and our responsibility to help protect the environment.”
So make sure you have your dog waste bag/s with you on all journeys and help the planet.
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Arrgh! People not picking up there dog poop makes me so angry. What I think people forget, as mentioned in this article, is how dangerous it can be, rather than just a nuisance to step in. I genuinely beleive that it should be made the law to have to visibly be carrying doggie poop bags if you are walking your dog in public. This leaves people with no exscuses for not picking up there dogs waste – so that people who aren’t can be fined accordingly!
here in Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand we, the Animal control Division of the City Council supply biodregadable dog poo bags free from dispensers at the most popular dog exercise areas and tracks around the town.. very popular and in a town with a registered population of 6000 dogs, we go through 4000 bags a week from dispensers!!
It is amazing that dog owners still don’t scoop the poop as a matter of course. There are few excuses for not doing so, when there are so many options for scooping from recycling carrier bags (high risk – watch out for those ventilation holes!) to buying your dog poop bags online.
One thing that does seem to help is the provision of dog poop bins and poo bags by local councils. If dog poop is a problem in your area, speaking to your councillor can often bring these facilities to your area, cutting the nuisance of dog poop. I understand from a friend who studies local government in the UK that dog poop is actually one of the most complained about environmental issues, and as such local councils are under pressure to do something about it from residents but also to meet targets.