A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology observed dog owners who pick up or leave behind their dog waste. The study concluded that a little more than 60% of dog owners pick up after their pets.

 

Dog waste has a large impact on our local environment, it has been cited as being the third or fourth largest contributor of bacterial pollution in urban watersheds. In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed dog waste as a nonpoint source pollutant. This places dog waste in the same category as:

• Oil, grease and toxic chemicals from motor vehicles

• Pesticides and nutrients from lawns and gardens

• Road salts

• Heavy metals from roof shingles, motor vehicles and other sources

• Thermal pollution from impervious surfaces such as streets and rooftops

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It is proven to contaminate local watersheds but the reach of the pollutants can do much more. Untreated waste from 100 dogs across the span of 2 to 3 days contributes enough bacteria, nitrogen, and phosphorous to close 20 miles of a bay-watershed to swimming and shell-fishing, according to the EPA.

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Learn more about the environmental impact of pet waste here.