Impacts of Pet Waste
Owning a pet is a huge responsibility. Not only do they need to be loved, fed, and walked - but their waste needs to be picked up properly!
Pet waste can take a huge toll on the environment if it is not cleaned up properly. It is the third biggest contributing pollutant that affects our water quality because it contains nitrogen and phosphorous which can deplete oxygen that marine life needs to survive. Pet waste also has high amounts of fecal coliform, a disease-causing bacterium. A single gram of pet waste contains approximately 23 million fecal coliform bacteria which means that a single dog can produce over 7.82 billion fecal coliform bacteria in a single day. Even if you don’t live near a body of water, rain and even irrigation can mix it with stormwater runoff where it can then seep into our soil or drain through the stormwater system.
What is the city doing?
· Installing new pet waste stations and maintaining existing ones
· Regular water quality testing
· Education and outreach
What can you do?
· Pick up after your dog by using the pet waste stations located throughout the city.
· Spread the word! Let your neighbors know how pet waste can impact quality of life.
Chapter 10 of the City Code requires the removal of animal defecation.
· For a first offense, a $50 fine.
· For a second offense within the preceding 12 months, a $100 fine.
· For each additional offense within the preceding 12 months, a $200 fine
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