With 150 public off-leash areas and over 100,000 dogs in our city, it’s clear Calgarians love their canine companions. What isn’t to love is the stinky situation left behind when owners don’t pick up after their pets.
Cleaning up your dog’s waste helps keep our yards, parks and of-leash areas safe and healthy, and is part of being a responsible pet owner.
Here are five facts you may not know about doggy doo-doo:
1) It’s classified as a hazardous pollutant. It’s in the same category as toxic chemicals!
2) It’s crawling with E. coli and often contains roundworm larvae which, if ingested by humans or dogs, can lead to brain, eye and other organ damage.
3) It’s not a good fertilizer. Its high nutrient content is toxic to lawns and will create “hot spots” causing the grass to burn and discolour.
4) It doesn’t absorb into the soil, so the risk of spreading its harmful effects can linger for years!
5) It attracts mice, coyotes and other wildlife that consider it a delicious snack.
Keeping our city pet-waste free is easy, if we all do our part. Always carry pet waste bags with you when you walk your dog, and pick up and properly dispose of your pet’s waste as soon as possible.
To learn more about the importance of picking up after your pet, join us at a P.U.P.P.Y. (Pick Up Pooch's Poo Yourself) event near you. Visit calgary.ca/puppy for details.
This content represents the personal views and opinions of the Ward Councillor and should not be taken as a statement of policy of The City of Calgary. The inclusion of any external content does not imply endorsement by The City of Calgary.