Pet Waste

Pet waste is one of many sources of water pollution, and something most of us can easily address as we go about our daily routine. Rain water washes poop left on the ground into our storm drains which connect to creeks and bayous where the poo decomposes. During decomposition, this waste uses up precious oxygen needed by fish and other creatures to stay alive and healthy.

Pet Waste Infographic

Health Risks of Pet Waste

Pet waste may contain bacteria, viruses and parasites that are harmful to humans. Some diseases caused by pet waste include:

• Campylobacteriosis – bacterial infection that causes diarrhea in humans (carried by dogs and cats)
• Cryptosporidium – parasitic infection that causes diarrhea and abdominal distress (carried by dogs and cats)

What You Can Do

• Pick up waste when walking your dog.
• Pick up pet waste as often as you can, especially if rain is in the forecast.

Links

The following links are to websites or promotional material in the H-GAC region and/or rather clever. Feel free to suggest additional links or sites.

Pet Waste and Water Quality (Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership fact sheet)
Get the Scoop - Clean Up the Poop (Harris County Watershed Protection Group brochure)
Bag It for Your Bayou (Moses-Karankawa Bayous Alliance web page)
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership - Pet Waste (Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership)
Bag It for the Bayou (Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership poster)
Houston Dog Park Rules (City of Houston BARC web page)
City of Houston Animal Laws (City of Houston BARC web page)
Pets and our Environment (City of Houston BARC web page)
Pet Waste Pollutes! (City of Corpus Christi web page)
Prevent Water Pollution - Clean up after your dog! (Volunteer Guide web page)
Scoop the Poop (City of Austin)
Why we put dog poop in little plastic baggies (Huron River Watershed Council & EPA)
Clean up after your pet (Southeast Michigan Partners for Clean Water)

What not to do with pet waste, or "Waiting for the Poo Fairy", courtesy Mick Garratt.