Who Invented the Pooper Scooper?

Picking up dog poop is a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it. With increased fines and more environmental awareness, that somebody is hopefully the responsible dog owner. Thankfully the dirty job got a little less dirty with the invention of the pooper scooper. Many variations of the device exist, but they all serve the same purpose: making it less of a hassle or risk to clean up after a beloved pet.

  1. History

    • Brooke Miller, of Anaheim, California, is credited with the invention of the pooper scooper, according to the Web site Invention Connection. The design she invented, and holds the patent on, is a metal bin with a rake-like edge attached to a wooden stick. It also includes a rake-like device to scoop the poop into the scooper and a hatch that can be attached to a garbage bag that fits onto the base. Hers has an automatic temporary latch so the poop platform stays fixed in an upward position to keep poop in the bin. It is unclear when she invented this or trademarked the name, but the generic term made it into the dictionary in the early 1970s.

    Types

    • Miller's is not the only type of pooper scooper kicking around, although it is one of the most popular. Some do not have a hatch that attaches to a garbage bag. Others are made of plastic, rather than metal or wood. Still others do not need a rake-like part because they operate with a hinge that opens and closes to "eat up" the poop by pulling on a handle situated at the top of the stick where you hold the device.

    Features

    • Another pooper scooper on the market is called the "Scoop and Sack It," or S.A.S.I., since Miller already holds the trademark for the official "Pooper Scooper" name. This one consists of a handle with a cylindrical scooping device to which a small plastic bag can be attached. The handle also has a little carrying device for extra bag storage. This one was invented in 1998 by a 10-year-old boy known only as Aaron (no last name) living in Broomfield, Colorado.

    Benefits

    • Never having to bend down and put hands near dog doo is the biggest and most obvious benefit of the pooper scooper. But it can also help save the earth. Dog waste lying about is a festering breeding ground for viruses, parasites and bacteria, especially E. coli. Not only can the waste break down and infect the soil, but it can be stuck on shoes and carried into the home or filter down into waterways. Most states have hefty fines for not picking up after a pet in public places. In Arizona, it's illegal to even have dog waste lying around a private yard for more than 24 hours.

    Warning

    • Pooper scoopers need regular cleanings, or they will just become as soiled and disgusting as leaving the poop to fester. Hose off regularly and even soak in a bleach bath to kill off any germs and bacteria. Anyone with an unsteady hand should also be wary, as people can make a real mess with a pooper scooper if they do not scoop the poop from the bottom right into the bin. Also always make sure any bag is securely fastened to the device so the dog doo simply doesn't fall through the opening and back onto the ground.