Control of Pets

Top Ten Reasons to Pick Up After Your Dog

Every responsible dog owner agrees... picking up after your dog is a MUST. No matter where or when it occurs, there is NO excuse for not scooping the poop. So here are 10 reasons why EVERY dog owner MUST be responsible for picking up EVERY TIME.

1. It's the rule. NOT to pick up after your dog  violates the condo association rules and is subject to a fine. When 2 or more anonymous complaints from 2 different sources are reported to property management, the unit owner will be assessed a $50 fine. Subsequent offenses result in fines of $75 and $100, respectively.
2. It's common courtesy. Cleaning up after your dogs shows respect for our neighbors and our community. Only irresponsible dog owners leave their dog's poop for others to look at, step in or clean up.
3. Dog Poop is unhealthy. Abandoned dog poop can host diseases and/or parasites which can infect other dogs that come into contact with it, or be transmitted to people who accidentally step in it and track it home. Particularly at risk, of course, are children who play on the ground.
4. Dog Poop bio-degrades slowly. Some people think it's okay to leave dog poop because it will break down naturally. However, the biodegrading process is very slow, and, especially in places where the dog population is high, abandoned dog poop can accumulate faster than it breaks down.
5. It's not fertilizer! In fact, poop impedes landscaping efforts. Leaving dog poop encourages other dogs to mark that spot (by urinating over the previous dog's scent): poop left on the grass contributes to the problem of "nitrogen burn."
6. Dog Poop pollutes the water. Dog feces contain high levels of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, which actually pollute the water. These nutrients feed and stimulate the growth of algae in water bodies in much the same way as fertilizers help lawns to grow. This can cause the water body to become depleted in oxygen, making it less healthy for fish and large levels of growth can impede recreational and aesthetic value of water as well. Cleaning up after your dog is environmentally responsible. And please don't dispose of dog poop in storm drains: storm drains are a direct conduit to our rivers!
7. Dog Poop is unsightly. Everybody knows that. It's disgusting. Pick it up.
8. Dog Poop tops the list of complaints against dogs. More than dog aggression, nuisance barking or unsupervised dogs, most complaints against dogs are about people not cleaning up after their dogs.
9. Dog Poop makes dog owners look bad. Dog Poop is the number one reason for negative public sentiment against dogs. Every time you don't pick up after your dog, you are giving one more reason for others to dislike dogs and dog owners.
10. Your actions set an example for others. When you pick up after your dog, you are part of the solution! And your actions will help convey the message that it's the right thing to do. Many people even carry extra bags to offer to others as a subtle and neighborly hint that cleaning up after our dogs is what responsible dog owners do.

It's up to each of us to do our part in keeping Fox Hollow clean and poop-free. Make sure you carry bags with you. In fact, carry extras and offer them to dog owners who aren't prepared or may not yet be educated about the importance of picking up after their dogs.