Dog Poop Disposal – The Ultimate Guide To Your Poopy Problems

It’s estimated that there are over 89 million pet dogs living in the USA. With every dog pooping two or three times a day, that is a whole lot of dog poop.

And it has to go somewhere!

When I was a kid, in the 1960s dog poop on sidewalks and pavements was a common sight. Traffic volumes were lower. Dogs were allowed to roam freely around towns and villages.

And dogs pooped wherever they felt like it.

Why didn’t people pick up poop?

Pretty much no-one would have dreamt of picking up a piece of dog poop in 1960. Touching dog poop was considered disgusting. And anyone doing so would have been widely regarded as mad or depraved.

As a result, many a family outing was punctuated by angry parents scraping dog mess from their childrens’ shoes.

Over the next two decades, the slow trend towards taking responsibility for what comes out of our dog’s butts began.

Starting with a campaign to encourage people to step off the sidewalk and ensure that their dogs pooped in the street, not on the pavement where people tread.

That campaign was not very successful.

Things change

Nowadays the advice has moved on. We are all asked to pick up after our dogs and take their poop to a convenient waste disposal point

The problem isn’t completely solved, but with fewer dogs are allowed to roam the streets. And a many people now picking up after their dogs. Most older folk would agree that sidewalks are cleaner than those of their youth

Collecting poop isn’t a great job though is it? There was huge resistance from dog owners when they were first asked to do this.

No-one enjoys it. And a great many devices have been invented to try to make the job easier.

Where to throw that poop bag?

We are often unsure of where to put that poop bag once it contains it’s aromatic parcel.

Sometimes we may be tempted to drop it in the nearest trash can.

Living at the entrance to a popular dog walking area, my own trash bin is often used this way by passing strangers.

I’m okay with this but I know that some of you are not. It’s quite an interesting debate so feel free to add your own views in the comments box below!

In today’s article we are going to look at dog poop disposal in some detail. We’ll look at several issues

• at why effective poop disposal is so important
• at the legal requirements now placed on dog owners
• at how we can motivate ourselves and others to help keep our highways and recreational sites free from dog poop
• at the different methods available to us.

We also review a number of poop disposal systems – both at home and out walking

Why pick up dog poop?

Most of us can see the sense in picking up dog poop on pavements. After all, no-one likes to tread in it.

But what about large open spaces? Surely this is a natural substance and will just ‘rot down’ without causing anyone a problem.

Won’t it?

Well it seems that dog poop is a much bigger problem than many of us might think. And not just in our streets.

Diseases carried in dog feces

Dogs are known to be associated with up to sixty diseases that can be passed on to human beings. And apparently we are not making a very good job of reducing the risk of infection

A study published in 2009 suggests that dogs are the largest contributors of enterococci on the beach. Enteroccoci are bacteria that cause a range of diseases from minor urinary infections to major illnesses like meningitis

Dog poop is a major source of waterborne pathogens such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.  So allowing dogs to poop in or near streams, or rivers (often popular dog walking areas) is a really bad plan.

Dog feces also carry parasites such as intestinal worms  that can infect people.  Children are especially vulnerable because they play in the dirt and have poor hand hygiene.

Of course, it isn’t just humans that are at risk from dog poop. Other dogs are too. And the chances of your dog picking up parasites or other nasty infections from the dog park are significant.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to the park – we have to find a balance that takes into account a dog’s need for social interaction and exercise.

But it is food for thought when it comes to being a bit more self disciplined about picking up poops and disposing of them safely, even in open spaces.

Laws on disposing of dog poop

Laws on disposing of dog poop have become increasingly strict since the ‘step off the curb to poop’ recommendation back in the 80s. In the UK, the dog fouling act of 1996 was created, which made it a criminal offence to fail to pick up after your dog

But the campaign to clean up the city sidewalks, and make poop illegal began long before then. New York City is credited with being the first city to implement a poop scoop Law in 1978.

The regulations are part of health code article 161.

Long before 1978 was already a law against leaving offensive animal matter in public places, but it wasn’t specifically aimed at dog owners, and was largely ignored.

There was substantial opposition to the poop laws and great resisitance among dog owners. But gradually other big cities soon followed NYC’s lead and pooper scooper laws are now in force in most modern towns and cities.

Current dog poop disposal laws vary from region to region, but in most areas they are quite strict and breach of the rules carries a financial penalty.

Fines in the USA vary but can be in the region of hundreds of dollars.

Failure to pay an ‘on-the-spot’ fine in the UK  can lead to court prosecution and a much heavier fine of £1000 – that’s about $1600

Enforcing poop disposal laws

Making laws is one thing. Enforcing them is another. And local authorities have always found it challenging.

Video surveillance can help and in some locations, authorities are even using DNA to track down the culprits

Enforcement is expensive and well as challenging

Perhaps the greatest weapon is a change in public attitudes so that those who don’t pick up are now shamed into doing so by other dog owners.

After all, we all stand to benefit from cleaner beaches, parks and waterways

Once we have been convinced that scooping poop is the right thing to do, we need to think about the best way to do it. And that’s what the next section is about

Dog poop pick up – the best way

Before you dispose of your dog’s poop, you need to get it into that dog waste bag. And many people have looked at ways to make this a less repugnant task

In the US patent office you can find dozens of fascinating inventions for collecting and disposing of dog poop.

A few of them have been successful and are now available to dog owners. But they do tend to be quite bulky and not the sort of thing you are likely to want to carry around with you on a walk.

When you are out in public with your dog, the simplest approach really, is to grit your teeth, put your hand inside the poop bag, pick up the offending object and turn the bag inside out.

You shouldn’t ever have to touch dog waste with your bare hand.

Double bagging might make you feel a bit happier about putting the parcel in your pocket for the journey home!

If you don’t fancy putting the newly filled poop bag in your coat pocket consider taking a hands free poop bag holder with you

Urban Pets make a popular one that you can order from Amazon(paid link)(paid link)

Once that poop is safely in the bag, we need to think about how to dispose of dog poop.

What is the best way, and are there any rules and regulations governing dog poop disposal? Let’s have a look!

Dog poop disposal at home

It’s a good idea to collect up your dog’s poop from your yard or garden on a daily basis.

Even if you have a really large yard.

Regular collection helps to reduce the risk of visiting dogs or children picking up infections, and also helps to reduce the risk of your dog becoming a poop eater! A much more common problem than most folks realise

Poop scooping devices are useful for picking up poop at home.  At the bare minimum you need a receptacle and something to push the poop with.

You can use gardening tools. I use a dedicated plastic shovel (in one hand) and a hoe with a long handle (in the other) but a commercial pooper scooper can be really helpful

When it comes to disposal at home, realistically there are three options

• Flushing
• Trashing
• Composting

In the USA government departments often recommend flushing pet waste down the toilet. Or placing it in a plastic bag and putting in the garbage. These are reasonable options. Especially if you don’t have room in your yard for a composter.

If you intend to flush your dog’s poop, make sure that there is no debris (leaves, sticks, stones) stuck to them!

And never put standard poop bags down the toilet. Unless you really enjoy your plumber’s company.

It is now possible to buy flushable poop bags(paid link)(paid link). Or you can build your own composter or buy a commercially made one. The principle is the same.

You need a large container with sturdy sides and plenty of holes in the bottom (or no bottom at all)

Dig a big hole, bigger than the container and place some stones in the bottom of the hole to help drainage of liquid

Put the container into the hole, fill in the gaps, and put your dog poop in there when you have picked it up. Add some water and digester enzymes from time to time

And away you go

You can add worms to your dog composter from time to time. We buy tiger worms from Amazon and put them into the composter each spring. It seems to help break the poops down faster

Dog poop disposal in public spaces

When you are out and about with your dog you have a couple of options.

You can either dispose of your dog’s poop in a trash can, or take it home with you and put it in your own trash bin, or flush it down your toilet when you get back.

Designated dog waste trash cans can be found in some areas, but are often few and far between.  So many people resort to throwing their poop bag in someone else’s trash. Or resign themselves to taking it home

Dog poop disposal summary

Attitudes to dog poop disposal have changed dramatically in the last few decades.

This is a good thing because dogs are more than ever part of our families and our communities.

And we need to make sure that association is beneficial to all concerned.

That means minimizing any health risks that may arise from bringing dogs into our lives.

Picking up poop isn’t fun, but it is an important and necessary job. Scented poop bags and poop bag holders can help make it a more pleasant task. At home you can get some handy gadgets to make your yard depooping easier, and keep your surroundings smelling sweet.

Why not let other readers know which tools and methods you have found helpful?

Before we go – back to that debate I mentioned earlier. Should you ever throw your dog’s poop bag in someone else’s trash can? What do you think?

References and further reading

Curtis V, Biram A. Dirt, Disgust, and Disease is hygiene in our genes? Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 2001 https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a6cb/186500de132f744b94dab44ddc2cf44e0f6f.pdf

Mateus T. Multiple Zoonotic Parasites Identified in Dog Feces Collected in Ponte de Lima, Portugal — A Potential Threat to Human Health. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2014 http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/11/9/9050/htm

Pereira A et al. Prevalence of parasites in soil and dog feces according to diagnostic tests. Veterinary Parasitology 2010
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401710000889

Wang et al. Prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium species in dog park attending dogs compared to non-dog park attending dogs in one region of Colorado. Veterinary Parasitology 2012 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401711005668

US Patents Office https://www.google.com/patents/US5355836

Shukla R et al Cryptosporidium spp. and other zoonotic enteric parasites in a sample of domestic dogs and cats in the Niagara region of Ontario. Canadian Veterinary Journal 2006 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1636587/

Batchelor D et al. Detection of Endoparasites with Zoonotic Potential in Dogs with Gastrointestinal Disease in the UK. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2008 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1865-1682.2007.01005.x/full

Katagiri S, Oliviera-Sequeira T. Prevalence of Dog Intestinal Parasites and Risk Perception of Zoonotic Infection by Dog Owners in São Paulo State, Brazil. Zoonoses and Public Health 2008 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01163.x/full

Rinaldi et al. Canine faecal contamination and parasitic risk in the city of Naples (southern Italy) BMC Veterinary Research 2006 https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1746-6148-2-29

Papini et al. Occurrence and cyst burden of Giardia duodenalis in dog faecal deposits from urban green areas: Implications for environmental contamination and related risks. Preventative Veterinary Medicine 2009 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587709001998

Rubel and Wisnivesky. Magnitude and distribution of canine fecal contamination and helminth eggs in two areas of different urban structure, Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. Veterinary Parasitology 2005 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401705002992

Tudor P Soil Contamination with Canine Intestinal Parasites Eggs in the Parks and Shelter Dogs from Bucharest Area. Agriculture and Agricultural Science Procedia 2015 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210784315002363?via%3Dihub

Wright M et al Microbial load from animal feces at a recreational beach. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2009 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X09002793

Conboy G. Canine angiostrongylosis: The French heartworm: An emerging threat in North America. Veterinary Parasitology 2011 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401711000586

Himsworth et al. Multiple Zoonotic Pathogens Identified in Canine Feces Collected from a Remote Canadian Indigenous Community American Journal of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene http://www.ajtmh.org/content/journals/10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0137?ct=ct

Schets et al. Monitoring of Waterborne Pathogens in Surface Waters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and the Potential Health Risk Associated with Exposure to Cryptosporidium and Giardia in These Waters. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2008 http://aem.asm.org/content/74/7/2069.short