Much ado about doggie do
A study confirms it. Nearly half of North Carolinians neglect to clean up after their dogs.
According to an East Carolina survey, reports the News & Observer: "About 1.8 million dogs live in North Carolina and deposit 681 tons of the stuff a day."
By the numbers: 47 percent of urban dog-walkers, 49 percent in the suburbs and 59 percent in rural areas rarely or never pick up after their dogs in North Carolina.
The 2005 survey also says people ages 35 to 54 are least likely to clean up their pets', uh, business.
Women were more likely than men to police their dog's poop (we guys are such slobs).
And it's more than unsavory. It threatens the water supply: Dog poop and other animal and bird excrement is a leading polluter of lakes, rivers and other waterways, says a UNC-Chapel Hill researcher.
It also breeds parasites, such as roundworm and hookworm.
Heel, dog owner, heel!
Good to see doggie poop stations at Guilford Battleground National Park. Now if someone would train humans to better use them.
Comments (4)
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Allen, it's good to see you finally post on a subject truly commensurate with and worthy of discussion on your blog. After awhile, even the most idealistic dreamers among us, just have to surrender and face the facts.
Posted on June 20, 2006 9:30 AM
Allen, first you, now Hoggard. What is it, National Scatological Week? Are you offering some kind of commentary on the news lately?
Posted on June 21, 2006 8:51 AM
I'll bet the person who did the study is a cat owner. I don't believe a dog is the leading polluter. How about cows and pigs.
Posted on June 21, 2006 6:56 PM
Could be. But doggie poop doesn't help, and owners who walk dogs on pavement and don't pick up after them essentially deposit feces into runoff -- and streams that feed the water supply.
I love my pooch. But not that much.
Posted on June 22, 2006 12:11 AM