Scoop the Poop

We all know how disgusting it is to find a pile of poo that isn't ours (or our pet's) on the grass.  It is SO important as responsible pet owners to make sure that we take care of this one thing.  I cannot count how many times I have heard from people, "But it's fertilizer!"  It is not.  Maybe, maybe if your dog sticks to a strictly vegetarian diet (not very healthy for your dog) like the hoofstock that produces that manure that people pay for, then you can say this.  Otherwise, it's simply not true.  In most cases, dog feces has the nutritional value for your garden or yard of human feces, and you certainly don't see anyone selling that (legally).

In addition to its unpleasantness, there is the additional fact that dog feces can spread disease (worms, parvo. salmonella, e.coli and other lovely things), flies thrive on laying eggs in poo, and some dogs like to eat it- hope they don't lick you in the face next.  It's just gross.  Add in the fact that animal feces is actually considered a non-point source of pollution for watersheds.  All that bacteria is washing from yards and into the storm drains, which send the water... directly to where many of us like to swim and enjoy other recreation.

I love our local Lynnhaven River Now and Virginia Beach SPCA's "Scoop the Poop" stickers that go onto garbage cans in the city to promote the idea.  VBSPCA has a site here: http://vbspca.com/modules/vbspcainfo/item.php?itemid=74

Please help scoop your pets, and encourage others to do the same, even in their own yards!