Why Dog Owners Need to Pick Up Dog-Mess
Don't be Complacent About Picking Up Dog Feces in Public Places
Sep 27, 2009
Although it is illegal for owners to allow pets to soil the pathways in public spaces it is a sad fact that many pet owners completely ignore this responsibility. Perhaps it is time to send a message to those irresponsible dog and cat owners that they need to be vigilant about picking up dog mess.
What is Toxocara & How is it Transmitted
Toxicara is caused by a roundworm parasite that can be transmitted in dog, fox or cat feces. The parasite either burrows into the eyes causing tumors or detached retina and consequential blindness or it can enter the bloodstream and infect the organs - the latter form is much rarer. Children are more at risk than adults as they may play in infected dirt or sand and then rub their eyes or swallow the parasite.
The eggs are deposited with the feces and 2 - 3 weeks later the eggs "embryonate" and become infectious. The soil in many parks and play areas is contaminated with Toxocara eggs as they are resistant to disinfectants and to the frost and can be viable for up to 10 years.
Dogs need to be wormed regularly as they too can become infected through contact with eggs in the soil. Unfortunately, in spite of advice from their vet, many dog owners never worm their dogs, a cause for concern to anyone who uses public parks for recreation.
Although foxes are infected with Toxocara they do not present a problem to the public as they tend to frequent farmland more than urban parks. The main problem comes from dog owners who fail to clear up after their pets.
How Many People are Infected with Toxocara?
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (a US government agency) in spite of this information being widely known, there are still 700 cases of Toxocarasis each year in the States. In the UK there are approximately 100 reported cases each year, of which 50 result in blindness.
Why Dog Owners Need to be More Responsible about Dog Mess
Dog mess is particularly unpleasant because it is extremely smelly and sticks to the shoes, getting right into the treads. Children walk in it or fall in it, creating hygiene problems and risk of infection by Toxocara. Often dog owners allow animals to soil next to the path, but hidden dog mess is worse because walkers can easily step on it without knowing.
Cleaning up Dog Mess From Paths and Play Areas
And yet it is easy to clean up dog mess using a hole-free plastic bag which can then be tied up and thrown into a dog mess bin or into a litter bin (not thrown in the undergrowth). The trick is to place the bag inside out over the mess and then to close the bag around the mess so that the hands do not come into contact with the feces. Fresh dog mess is not infectious; it takes 2-3 weeks before it becomes dangerous.
There really is no excuse for dog owners to be lazy. The question they need to ask themselves is how would they feel if their child or grandchild became blind through contact with dog feces? Or how would they feel if they were responsible for somebody else's child being blinded? It is a sobering thought that might persuade irresponsible pet owners to think again.
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