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What’s the problem?
Like human poop, pet poop is raw sewage that contains pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make people, pets, and wildlife sick. Some of these pathogens can survive for years in the soil and water.
Rainwater picks up everything it touches, including dog poop, and carries it to the nearest drain or ditch which flow into nearby waterways. When the rainwater finally makes it to our creeks, lakes, and bays, it brings with it the poop it touched on the way. That’s a lot of poop!
Not only that, but the nutrients in dog poop can cause weed and algae growth in lakes, which can reduce the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive.
What's the solution?
The best solution to keeping water safe from pet poop pollution is simple: Bag it and put it in the trash.
Bagging and trashing dog poop is the preferred disposal method. The bag protects everyone from contact with the pathogens, and landfills safely contain the pollutants. Trash haulers and public health professionals agree - the best thing to do is bag and trash dog poop.
Do you know the answers?
Dog poop is just like cow manure... Right?
No. Like human poop, pet poop is raw sewage. Dogs eat a much different diet than livestock and wild animals, so their poop has parasites and germs that can harm wildlife as well and people and their pets.
Can I bury or compost pet poop?
No. Buried poop is still full of bacteria and can still pollute the water. Most compost conditions don’t properly treat or remove the pathogens and parasites in poop. That’s why your yard waste hauler doesn’t want dog poop put in the yard waste bin. Pet poop should never be placed in your home compost bin or directly on your landscape.
Wild animals poop too.
True. Wildlife poop is also a water quality problem. When it rains, bacteria from the poop in the soil gets into the waterways where it can infect people, pets and wildlife. Poop on the ground is a problem.
Why do I have to pick up after my dog, but they don't have to pick up after their cows and horses?
Oh, but they do have to pick up after their livestock! Picking up poop is part of the job. Dogs, cats, cows, goats, chickens, you name it…If your pet or livestock poops, you’ve got to scoop it up and manage the waste responsibly.
Is it really better to use plastic bags instead of leaving poop on the ground?
Yes. Plastic isn’t great for our environment, but it is currently the best and safest option. When tied up and thrown in the trash, plastic bags keep dangerous bacteria out of the environment. To reduce the use of plastic, use recycled or reused plastic bags. At home, try using a scooper tool and a bag-lined bin to reduce the amount of plastic you use.
Should I use biodegradable bags?
No. Biodegradable pet waste bags are only useful if they're going to an industrial compost facility (which we don't have in Skagit County). The environment in traditional landfills doesn't allow Biodegradable bags don't break down.
Can I leave my bagged poop on the trail to pick up later?
Please don't. Bags left on the side of the trail for later pickup are often forgotten. And even if you are certain to remember your bag, other people may see your bag sitting on the trail and think it's ok to just leave their bags too.Using a bag carrier or keeping a hard-sided plastic food container in your bag are two hands-free solutions for packing out poop.
This didn't seem like an issue when I was growing up. What's different now?
Our population here in the northwest is growing quickly. With more people and more dogs living close together, the density of poop adds up. It's another drop in the pool of contaminants we are trying to keep out of our waterways.
Dirt, poop, oil, chemicals, every little bit counts.
The 37,532 dogs in
Skagit County
produce over
10 MILLION POUNDS
of poop per year
