Along with the tooth fairy and the Great Pumpkin, Jefferson County Animal Control has launched a summer campaign telling people that there is no magical creature that floats along our sidewalks and open spaces making dog poop disappear. Disappointing, yes, but there is something JeffCo residents can do to become more responsible pet owners.
The fact that JeffCo has debunked this long-held myth has recently caught national media attention even being featured on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show. Chana Guy, Jefferson County Animal Control Officer, says that comments are coming from all over the US. As cute as the poster campaign looks, Guy says that this is a growing problem that needs to be addressed.
Not only is there no poop fairy, pet owners who do not clean up after their pets are contributing to a larger problem. JeffCo presents the facts about Dog Poop:
- Dog poop doesn't biodegrade like wild animal poop - Because companion animals received a very different kind of food than their wild brethren, dog waste doesn't biodegrade as fast as wild animal waste. Along with the greater number of companion animals in our neighborhood parks and open spaces, this much more durable waste accumulates even faster.
- Dog poop contains harmful bacteria and parasites - Dog waste contains harmful organisms such as E.coli, giardia, salmonella, roundworms, hookworms and cryptosporidium. These can be passed on to your pets when you walk them in areas that contain waste and can also infect the wild life that comes into contact with it.
- Dog poop pollutes groundwater - Bacteria in dog waste can contaminate our creeks and rivers and create unhealthy stream corridors. Both humans and animals who contact this water face health risks. Now image what would happen if dog waste erodes into our drinking water. Yuk!
- Jefferson County Ordinances require cleanup - Failure to clean up dog feces in public places in Jefferson County is a petty offense with a fines starting at $30. Local park districts also have similar regulations and fines.
From July 9 to July 17, volunteers will be out and about in Jefferson County parks with signs and flyers for JeffCo residents. They will also be handing out poopbags and talking with people about the importance of keeping JeffCo parks and trails poop-free. JeffCo has even created a Facebook Page for those wanting to know more. Residents can do their part by picking up after their pets. We can all be the poop fairy.
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