Acres Green

South Suburban Connection by Jean Flynn

Mar 30, 2005

Everyone is aware of the poor appearance of feces lying around on public park areas and local pedestrian trails, but aesthetics is just one reason for picking up after your pet.
Unattended pet excrement kills grass with its high nitrogen content. Although nitrogen is a component of fertilizer, parks are already chemically fertilized and the additional fecal nitrogen has the effect of over-fertilizing or "burning" the grass. Unsightly yellow and dead patches, coupled by foul smell, degrade park appearance and diminish enjoyment for other park users.
If degraded park appearance is not enough of a reason for you to clean up after your pet, be aware that pet feces have been linked to highly elevated levels of coli form and streptococci bacterial pollution in storm runoff. It is possible for this runoff to contaminate drinking water, and, in turn, make people very sick.
Additionally, bacterial polluted runoff contributes to high nutrient levels in lakes and ponds. In late summer, these bacteria lead to algae blooms that rob oxygen from the water killing the resident fish.
Several parasites are associated with pet fecal matter. Roundworm is the most common. This parasite can remain active for a many years, and persons that come in contact with the infected feces can themselves become infected with the roundworm parasite.
Contamination is possible if someone touches infected soil or old feces and then transfers the eggs to their eyes or mouth. Those at greatest risk are young children because they are most likely to put things in their mouth.
Cleaning up after your pets, taking care to avoid dried feces, and washing with soap if you contact them are the best ways to stop the spread of these parasites. Pet defecation that is not appropriately disposed of can create some serious problems. So take a baggy or a recycled newspaper bag works as well, when you go to your local park or trail.
Information provided by South Suburban Parks and Recreation.