Reminder To Not Put Dog Feces In Other People's Garbage

The Laurelhurst Blog often receives emails and posts about residents frustrated over dog owners not picking up after their dogs or putting their dog's waste in some else's garbage.

 

Here are some comments received:. 

Throwing the plastic bag full of dog poop into a neighbor’s flower bed is gross, unacceptable, rude, disgusting and against the law. If your dog poops in your neighbor’s yard, it is your responsibility to clean it up and take it with you. It’s so awful, especially with kids. Do not put it in your neighbor’s garbage can or yard waste or flower bed. Be a decent person, and take it with you and dispose of it properly. 

Currently, someone is putting their dog feces in our garbage can ever Monday that I have it out.  The doggie bag is not double bagged.  We no longer have dogs and certainly do not want the dog feces in our containers.  Dog walkers and neighbors need to carry the bag back to the dog's home and dispose of it there. 

Please remember to only use the waste cans that are either yours or ones furnished by the City. The waste cans at the bus stops are not to be used for the disposal of  dog waste.  Notices have been placed on the Metro waste cans to not use them for pet waste.  

Please don’t put your bagged dog poop in garbage cans that have been emptied on garbage day - or even worse, in an empty recycling container that is still on the curb. 

Please dog owners, use your own garbage can to dispose of your pet's poo. I don't appreciate your calling card in my can.

Several ago we saw someone put their dog feces bag into our "clean green" container.  When I caught up with her the person said she thought the bag could go into the clean green container since the bag would decompose.  According to my search, the feces need to be double bagged and go into the regular garbage  containers.  This regulation is for the safety of the trash collectors. I would encourage the neighbors who have dog walkers make certain that their walkers also know where the bags should go. 

Please remember to only use the waste cans that are either yours or ones furnished by the City. The waste cans at the bus stops are not to be used for the disposal of  dog waste.  Notices have been placed on the Metro waste cans to not use them for pet waste. 

Please dog owners, use your own garbage can to dispose of your pet's poo. I don't appreciate your calling card in my can.

Here is a related list of City Municipal Codes and corresponding violations with fine amounts imposed by the City of Seattle:

Offenses Related to Safety and Sanitation
$109 Allowing accumulation of feces SMC 9.25.082 (A)
$54 Not removing feces from another’s property SMC 9.25.082 (B)
$54 Not having equipment to remove feces  SMC 9.25.082 (C)

Seattle Public Utilities reports on their website: 

Pet waste amounts to about 50,000 lbs of pet waste every day.

Left on streets, curb strips and in yards and parks, pet waste can be carried by rainwater to storm drains and into our creeks, lakes and Puget Sound without treatment. It is one of the leading causes of bacterial contamination in our streams and causes other water quality problems just like livestock manure and fertilizer. 

There are bacteria and micro-organisms in pet waste such as Roundworms, E. coli, and Giardia that can make people sick if they’re ingested. Some can last in your yard for as long as four years if not cleaned up.  

Children who play outside and adults who garden are at greatest risk of infection. If pet waste is washed into the storm drain it ends up in lakes, streams or marine water, and people can accidentally swallow bacteria and other disease-causing organisms while swimming or playing in the water. These bacteria also end up in shellfish, and can make the people who eat them very sick. 

Put pet waste in a plastic bag, seal it, and throw it in the garbage- not in the yard waste! There are also Mutt Mitt (pdf) dispensers located around the City. The next time you're out walking your pet, take advantage of this free resource to help keep our waterways clean. 

There are laws in Seattle to protect our health and our environment which require pet waste to be picked up and disposed of properly.

Go here for more information.