>> There is No Poop Fairy (07/2011)
Behind the Badge: A Message from Sheriff Ted Mink
Dog owners are expected to pick up their dogs’ poop in our neighborhoods and local parks. Many do so diligently – toting around plastic baggies on their daily walks. Others don’t, leading to a buildup of errant dog poop piles. Because of the sheer number of pets in suburban communities, this hardy dog waste accumulates.
Our animal control officers have been aware of the problem for years and have struggled to enforce county ordinances against so many stealth offenders. Recently a group of citizens reached out and pleaded with our animal control officers to try a different approach…. Something that would get your attention.
Animal Control hit on the crux of the problem. A lot of dog owners think that the poop “just goes away.” We saw an opportunity to educate people on the realities of this subject. Together with the citizens and our local park districts, we created a campaign. It’s called, There is no poop fairy: Please clean up after your dog.
Say Hello, Take a Baggie
Throughout the summer, with a special emphasis in July, the campaign will pop up across Jeffco. Signs, displays, and volunteers wearing blue “poop fairy” T-shirts will greet patrons of local parks, to educate them on why it’s important to keep parks, trails, and sports fields free from dog poop. They’ll hand out poop-pickup baggies and stickers. Virtually all of them are volunteers, and we appreciate their time and effort.
But Seriously, Folks
There are good reasons why we want to encourage people to be responsible for their pet’s waste. The fact that the piles aren’t pleasing to the eye (or nose) is only one consideration. Here are a few more:
- Dog Poop Doesn’t Biodegrade Like Wild Animal Poop
Because we feed our dogs food that’s very different from the food wild animals eat, dog waste does not biodegrade quickly like wild animal waste. And because there are so many pets in the neighborhoods and parks, this hardy dog waste accumulates.
- Dog Poop Contains Harmful Bacteria, Parasites
Dog waste can contain harmful organisms like E. coli, giardia, salmonella, roundworms, hookworms, and cryptosporidium. These can be passed on to you or your pet, and may cause health problems.
- Dog Waste Pollutes Groundwater, Water Bodies
Bacteria in dog waste can harm water quality in creeks and rivers, and alter the ecosystems of these stream corridors. Humans who come in contact with creek water can also face health hazards.
- County Ordinances Require Cleanup
Jefferson County ordinances* make “failure to clean up dog feces in public places” a petty offense with a fine of at least $30. Many local park districts have similar regulations and fines.
*Part 3 Regulations, Chapter 5 Animals, Section 1, D4h
We at the Sheriff’s Office communicate on many different public safety topics, from drugs to domestic violence to child safety. Most of our PSAs are no laughing matter. But with the dog waste issue, we saw an opportunity lighten up and have some fun with the message. We hope you’ll get a chuckle out of it, and share it with your friends and neighbors. (The poop fairy’s even on Facebook!) Together, we can debunk the poop fairy myth and clean up our county.
Behind the Badge archive
Last Modified:
Jul 1, 2011 02:55 PM
