By John Larrabee
Even for a loving pet owner like myself, dodging dog foo on the foot-paths, trails and beaches of Eastman can be both bothersome and an assault on the senses. But pet waste is more than a problem on our shoes. As with human waste, pet waste is harmful to our waterways, which include our lake, ponds, streams and ground water.
Rain washes pet waste into our waterways, carrying disease-causing organisms such as giardia and salmonella. Beyond the diseases, the pet waste contains organic matter and nutrients, notably nitrogen and phosphorous, which degrade water quality by using up dissolved oxygen and releasing ammonia. add the warmth of the sun and the fish begin to die, plant growth accelerates, algae increase, and the water becomes cloudy and begins to smell. This could result in beach closure.
So far, Eastman’s waterways are in good shape, but that could change. According to reliable sources, 37% of American households have at least one dog. That would translate into more than 500 households in Eastman. Even if it were only 300 households, that’s still a lot of dog waste.
Of course, the majority of dog owners are responsible and courteous. They want the good life for themselves, their pet and their neighbors. It’s not hard to be among this group. Dog owners in Eastman can take pride in their community and be stewards of our clean waterways by being responsible pet owners. When out walking, bag the pet waste and take it home to your trash. Pet waste can be flushed down the toilet. If you do not live near a body of water, you can bury the pet waste at least 6” deep in your yard, away from vegetable gardens and play areas. The woods is also a good spot, just not on footpaths or trails.
Less pet waste in our watershed means a happier and healthier community for all of us, Maggie and Shaggy included.
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