‘Scoop the Poop Day in Maryland,’ O’Malley declares
(By Wayan Vota on Flickr)
The state government wants Marylanders to become super duper pooper scoopers.
We can’t really add much to this verbatim press release from the Maryland Department of the Environment. It leaves unanswered the problem of uncontrolled scat (that’s non-domesticated defecation) from squirrels, deer, mice, rabbits etc. Does a bear scat in the woods? And what is the state gonna do about it?
Save the Bay, Scoop the Poop, Sign the Pledge
The press release:
MDE Reminds Dog Owners to “Scoop the Poop” Every Stinkin’ Time
Pet Waste is Responsible for 24 Percent of Bacteria in Urban and Suburban Waterways
(Baltimore, MD) August 27, 2013 – Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Robert M. Summers encouraged pet owners to “scoop the poop,” during an event held today at Patterson Park in Baltimore City.
An estimated 1.3 million dogs live, play and poop in Maryland. Picking up after your dog’s waste is important for your health, the health of your pet and Maryland’s environment. The simple act of picking up after your dog by “scooping the poop” can assist in removing harmful nutrients and bacteria from local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, keep our citizens healthy and our yards and shoes clean.
Secretary Summers presented Friends of Patterson Park Executive Director, Jennifer Arndt Robinson and the Fells Prospect Community Association with a proclamation from Governor O’Malley recognizing today as “Scoop the Poop Day in Maryland.” Secretary Summers’ dog, Max, along with other pooches and owners also took the “scoop the poop” pledge.
More Information
By voteprime on Flickr
Pet waste left on our lawns, sidewalks or paved surfaces is carried away by stormwater, ultimately entering our local waterways. Such waste is a significant source of pollution that contaminates our waters with disease-causing bacteria and parasites – potentially making the water unfit for swimming or other recreational activities. Pet waste also has other adverse effects on water quality, such as nutrient over-enrichment which results in oxygen depletion.
Help Stop Pointless Poo-llution
Below are some tips on what you can do to help keep our watershed clean and healthy:
Always clean up after your dog on walks and remind your neighbors and friends to do the same.
Don’t wait to scoop in your own yard – keep an eye out and scoop immediately.
Take multiple bags on walks, just in case.
Throw out dog waste using a bio-degradable bag OR flush waste down the toilet (where it will eventually end up in a wastewater treatment plant).
Do NOT throw dog waste in a compost bin.
Start a campaign to get your community involved, installing pet disposal facilities, poop scoopers and other convenient items to encourage locals to clean up after their pets.
MarylandReporter.com is a daily news website produced by journalists committed to making state government as open, transparent, accountable and responsive as possible – in deed, not just in promise. We believe the people who pay for this government are entitled to have their money spent in an efficient and effective way, and that they are entitled to keep as much of their hard-earned dollars as they possibly can.