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The
Scoop on Poop
Not
only is stepping in dog poop rather unpleasant,
but there are public health issues to consider,
as well as bylaws.
Courtesy
and responsible dog ownership should be reason
alone. Dog poop left on sidewalks, paths or
on someone's front yard tends to make dogs (or
should I say owners) unpopular. Poop left in
other areas is a health matter to people and
dogs. Our Conservation Parks and Nature Trails
are covered with the stuff, especially after
the winter thaw. Why should non-dogs owners
and those who do scoop have to wade through
what others have left behind?
You
may ask why dogs and not other pets are singled
out in the area of excrement. Well cats are
really good at hiding it or use a litter box.
Birds, gerbils and rabbits are kept in cages
and reptiles in terrariums. We do not tend to
take our cat, bird or hamster on walks with
us, as we do dogs.
As
for health issues, worms and intestinal parasites
can be passed from dog, cat and other animals
to dogs, cats and humans. They can be passed
by ingestion (direct or indirect) and through
skin penetration. For instance the larval form
of dog and cat roundworms can hatch in the small
intestine, penetrate the gut wall and travel
to the lungs and then to the heart, and spread
through the body damaging the liver, central
nervous system, and the eye.
Giardia
(beaver fever in humans) an intestinal parasite
can be passed through direct and indirect ingestion
of feces. Symptoms can be diarrhea, dehydration,
fever, and vomiting and allergic reactions.
All mammals are susceptible to this infection.
Most
dogs and cat owners give proper veterinary care,
such as testing for worm infestations and preventative
medications, but not all do. We also cannot
control where wildlife leave their feces. Sometimes
our well cared for dogs like to eat other species
feces much to our disgust.
The
dog alone cannot be solely responsible for the
spreading of worms and intestinal parasites,
but the risk could be reduced through being
informed owners, proper veterinary care, scooping
the poop and proper hygiene. For more information
ask your veterinarian or doctor.
If
that isn't enough to get poop into the bag then
the "Stoop and Scoop" bylaws may help.
The bylaw enforces responsible pet ownership
with a fine, when manpower allows.
And
yes, it is your dog, your poop even if no one
is looking.
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