What Are the Rules About Picking Up Dog Droppings?

In the 1990s, communities around the United States began enforcing regulations regarding a longstanding annoyance and public health risk: dog poop. Awareness of the health risks associated with improperly contained dog feces prompted strict rules and fines, particularly in densely populated areas. Canine feces contain millions of harmful bacteria that cause diseases, worms and parasites. Laws differ between towns and counties, but even if your community has no regulations, responsible disposal of a dog's waste is never a bad idea.

  1. Prompt Removal

    • Pick up your dog's poop immediately. Removing your dog's feces immediately from the ground prevents bugs and other animals from encountering the bacteria-filled pile. Timely removal also prevents feces from settling into the grass and seeping into the soil. Even in your own backyard, exposed feces attract flies. The flies land on the noxious pile and promptly carry the fecal bacteria to their next landing spot, for example, the hot dog you're eating on a nearby bench.

    Safe Immediate Containers

    • For immediate removal, use an intact plastic or biodegradable bag and securely tie the handles to limit odor. The impermeable material of plastic or designated biodegradable bags also protects your hands from fecal particles. Larger pet stores sell plastic scoops for hands-free removal. However, because scooping devices don't always seal the feces, you're left carrying your dog's waste for the remainder of the walk while attracting flies and other insects.

    Safe Long-Term Disposal

    • Rules about proper long-term disposal of dog feces vary by community. For example, some towns prohibit disposing of dog feces in public waste containers because of the horrible smell and the risk of attracting flies. Depositing the bag in your private garbage container is acceptable, provided the canister contains a secure lid. If you live in a more rural area, in-ground septic systems are available at major pet stores. Simply drop the feces down the tube and the septic system dissolves harmful bacteria and enzymes underground.

    Dog Park Disposal

    • The dog park is the capital of dog feces. Any community-sanctioned dog park should provide plastic bags and flap-trap disposal containers to encourage responsible disposal of dog waste. To prevent clouds of flies around these containers, some dog parks specifically label waste containers for "human trash" and "animal waste." This distinction is important because the standard "human trash" containers rarely have a flap-trap to prevent insect infestation.