New Bedford II & III

According to the EPA, a national survey of 500 dog owners found that 80% didn’t know that dog waste posed a bacterial threat to humans and waterways. Another similar survey found that 41% of respondents rarely or never pick up after their dogs.

People may think “It’ll just go away eventually…” or “I have a small dog, it’s not that much to worry about”; but with over 68 million dogs throughout the

United States

, not picking up after them can become a huge problem. This gives you an idea of how much waste could potentially be entering our environment, and how much difference it would make if owners disposed of feces the right way.

But not only are dog feces smelly and unattractive, they contain many types of bacteria that can negatively affect our natural ecosystems. Furthermore, this same bacteria can be hazardous to humans if waste reaches a groundwater supply as a result of activities as simple as a rain event or watering your lawn.

Here are some ways to properly dispose of dog waste:

· Pick it up and flush it down the toilet. This is the best solution since your community waste water treatment facilities or septic systems will treat pet waste the same as anything else, and there’s no chance of bacteria entering a water source.

· Dispose of the waste in the garbage, sealed in a plastic bag or other container.

· Bury small quantities in a hole in your yard. Just remember to make the hole deep enough and far away enough from any vegetable gardens or sprinkler systems.

Picking up after your dog is both a courtesy to your neighbors and to the environment. Remember, everything you do affects our lake systems; and making right choices can make the difference in having a healthy community.