Why can't I just let the poop break down in the soil?
Can I flush it down the toilet?
If it's important, why doesn't everyone pick up?
I have a cat - does this go for me too?
How can I talk to my neighbors about picking up after their pets?
What else can I do?
Back to Canines for Clean Water
Why can’t I just let the poop break down into the soil?
This may work if you live in the middle of rural acreage but in suburban neighborhoods the dog population is much more dense. The chance of rain runoff carrying contaminants to nearby streams via storm drains and ditches is much greater. Also, pathogens we can't see may remain even after the solids have dissolved. Do you really want to be tracking that into your home or have your kids playing on the lawn? Yuck!
Can I flush it down the toilet?
Maybe, but we don't recommend it. This is such a good question, it needs its own page. Follow the link for more disposal options.
So, if picking up after our dogs is so important, why doesn't everyone do it?
There are hundreds of perceived reasons for not picking up dog poop, but when it comes down to it, keeping our families, our water resources, and our habitats healthy are more important than any of them.
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If your reason is: |
Think about: | |||
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My dog is small and so is his doo. |
Yes, but it's not just your dog. Waste from almost 110,000 dogs in Clark County adds up…and that includes big dogs, small dogs, and everything in between. | |||
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No need to pick it up. It will eventually just go away. |
Even though the solids may dissolve, pathogens and other contaminants can be washed into the nearest storm drain or waterway. Even if it does eventually decompose, the pathogens it carries may not go away for several years – they can make you and your children sick. For more details, visit our page on harmful bacteria. | |||
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I'm not always prepared. |
Tie bags onto your dog's leash or keep them by the door. Many parks also have pet-waste bag kiosks. | |||
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It’s in my own yard - it's not going anywhere. |
When it rains, runoff carries what starts in your yard down the curb to the nearest storm drain or ditch …where it goes untreated into our water. | |||
I just don't have time and it's dark when I get home. |
Yes, time is a real issue. Poo patrol is probably not high on anyone's list of fun things to do after a hard day at work. All we can say is do the best you can. Ideally, you can keep a flashlight and plastic bags by the back door so you'll be ready when Fido is. If that doesn't work for you, try to pick it up daily, or every couple days, or even once a week. Just remember, if you pick it up more often, it won't be such a huge chore. (And think of how clean your shoes will stay!) | |||
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It’s more natural to leave it there. Wild animals have been here for years. |
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I have a cat - does this go for me too?
Because of how much time cats spend outdoors on their own, we don't expect you to go running around picking up after him every time he does his business. For cats that use litter boxes, though, we recommend that the litter be properly disposed of - which means not flushing it down the toilet or dumping it in the backyard (or over the fence). Cat litter should be tossed in the garbage, right next to those bags of dog doo.
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How can I talk to my neighbors about picking up after their pets?
We know how much of a strain it can be on neighborhood relations to find surprises in your front yard - especially when they're not from your own dog! Likewise, it can be frustrating when you don't feel like your kids can go play outside without coming back with poo on their shoes. For these reasons and others, the Clean Water Program has introduced Neighbors for Clean Water - a toolkit of resources and information to help you talk to your neighbors about increasing the scoop-rate in your community and making it a safer and healthier place for your family, other pets, and the environment.
Click here to visit the Neighbors for Clean Water site.
What else can I do to help?
We're glad you asked! Here are some other easy things you can do to help protect our streams and wetlands:
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Have an extra bag or two with you in case someone else needs one. |
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Keep pets on leash near waterways and other sensitive areas. |
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Spread this important message to other dog owners in your community. |
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Take the Canines for Clean Water pledge (and get a free dog bandanna)! |
Just remember: Scoop it, bag it, and toss it in the garbage!
