Spring has Sprung: The Dangers of Pet Waste

The Dangers of Pet Waste

Now that the snow has melted and the weather will soon be getting warm it is time to think about all the pet waste left behind since the snow has melted. It seems everywhere I turn there is pet waste on the sidewalks and on the lawns. It is now time to understand the dangers of left behind pet waste.  As a property owner and as a mom, it is irritating to see people walk their dogs and not cleanup after them.

Pet waste can carry all kinds of different diseases such as:

1. Campylobacteriosis – a yucky bacterial infection that cause us humans to get the diarrhea.
2. Salmonellosis – This is the most common bacterial infection and can cause fever, muscle aches, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea.
3. Pet waste can have Toxocarisis –a roundworm transmitted to humans and can cause symptoms such as vision loss, rash, fever and cough

During the spring and summer months,  if pet waste is left around our town without being picked up flies will linger around the disposed pet waste. Flies will then lay their eggs on the undisposed pet waste and hatch into maggots.  Then it carries even more diseases and are even nastier to see.

Keep in mind children are the most prone to catching these diseases.

How do you properly dispose of pet waste? You can Flush it, bag it and trash it. You can also bury it. Doggie Dooley sells a pet waste digester.  Ingenious!   Perhaps our great town of Hoboken could invest in something like this for around town!