Defecating

According to statistics, 70% of the population owns one or more dogs with 45%
owning large dogs of 40lbs or more. For every 12,000 dogs, 5,000 pounds of
dog crap is deposited daily. Forty percent of all dog owners refuse to pick up
after their dogs because it's too "inconvenient". One single gram of dog feces
contains over 23 million fecal coliform bacteria along with giardia, samonella,
hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and roundworms causing numerous health
problems for humans, pets and wildlife. Beaches, rivers, lakes and parks are often
closed because of irresponsible dog owners and their failure to pick up their dog's
crap and this is now compromising the world's water supply. And then there is the
SMELL. Have you ever lived next to a bad dog owner who does not pick up the
mess? The summer heat bakes it causing the whole neighborhood to smell worse
than a sewer.

Irresponsible dog owners will often allow their dogs to run free or fail to provide
them with adequate confinement when unsupervised. (see also free-roaming
dogs). A dog's natural instinct is to not to mess up its own living area, but when
possible, will use the neighbors' lawns and gardens for their toilets. Besides killing
grass and plants, the good-natured neighbor is then forced to spend money on
fencing or take time out of their day picking up the dog crap of someone else's
dog! This expectation from irresponsible dog owners is exceptionally rude. Many
communities are implementing fines anywhere from $10 to $2,000 per violation.

What VICTIMS can do:
1. Contact your police department or animal control. Complain.

2. Take photographs or videos of the dog doing its business for evidence.

3. If an animal waste nuisance law does not exist in your community, write one
and send it to the city council. (It would be tempting to package up some of the
evidence and send it along, but we don't think they would appreciate it. :)

4. Many enterpreneurs are starting dog waste pick up services. Contact the local
"turd-herder" in your area and give them the irresponsible dog owner's address
and phone number for marketing so they can bug the "shit" out of them, literally.

5. Post a sign in your yard. Be considerate, yet clear: "No Dog Waste Zone"
"Please Do Not Let Your Dogs Use My Yard as a Toilet" "Children at Play...No
Dog Waste Please" "No Dog Waste Please - Surveillance Cameras in Use".
Surveillance camera warnings, even if you don't have one, are a deterrent. People
won't do their nasty habits if they think they will be documented as in most cases if
you are documenting, it can be used in a court of law. If you make a sign, send us
a picture for the Creative Expressions page!

6. Write a form letter to everyone on your block stating the ramifications of dog
waste - mention the clean-up, parasite concerns, health, smell, mess, etc.,
everything and anything that makes this inconsiderate practice inconvenient for you
and everyone else, and request their consideration. This can be either signed or
anonymous. Some people will just be ignorant and think, "Oh I didn't realize!" and
just might make an effort. The bad dog owners will just blow it off and not care.
Sorry, that's reality.

7. Invest in a fence or invisible, electronic dog zapper fence. The saying goes
"Fences make good neighbors." Although it's worth the investment, still, it's money
you shouldn't have to put out due to irresponsible dog owners, but it might save
your sanity.

8. Are there other neighbors with or without dogs who share your same concerns?
The dog-loving people will be the ones who do practice good dog control. Find
them and seek their support and assistance.

9. We know of one woman who scooped up the dog deposits, walked them over
to the irresponsible dog owner's house, knocked on the door and said, "I believe
this is yours. You left it in my yard." Another approached the dog owner who had
the dog on a leash as it was crapping in her yard and asked if she'd mind if her
young son could come over to her house and leave a deposit in her yard.

10. FYI: Don't ever think dog waste is compostable or useful for any logical
purpose. It's toxic due to the above listed parasites and bacteria.