County encourages public to pick up after pets to protect local waterways
When performing lawn maintenance, the focus is generally on how to keep grass green and shrubbery blossoming. However, what may come as an afterthought is how pet waste can impact lawns or, a larger scale, Southwest Florida’s waterways and the creatures within them.
Lee County reported that while pet waste is natural, it can have detrimental effects on waterways. Due to its high nitrogen and phosphorus content, pet waste can contribute to noxious algae blooms that deplete oxygen from waterways and harm the creatures living in Southwest Florida’s waterways.
A half pound of dog waste can contain 5 billion fecal coliform bacteria and can spread parasites, like hookworms, tapeworms and ringworms. Dog waste can also contain parvovirus, a highly contagious and dangerous disease in dogs.
Every day, more than 13 tons of dog waste is not properly disposed of in Lee County. Per county ordinance, residents must remove pet waste when not on their own property.
Residents are encouraged to:
– Carry dog waste bags whenever you walk your pet. Be prepared to clean up after your dog, whether you are in your neighborhood, at a park or on a trail.
– Pick up waste promptly while away from home to prevent it from washing into storm drains or waterways.
– Regularly clean up your yard to keep lawns healthy and reduce harmful bacteria and nutrients that can run off into local creeks, canals and bays.
To highlight the importance of picking up pet waste, Lee County Natural Resources will be at GoldenFest XV on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lee Health Sports Complex at Hammond Stadium, at 14100 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers.