Citizens Stormwater Guide | Page 27

Pets and Pet Waste
Pet waste left on streets , pavement , yards , driveways , or along the sides of the road does not magically disappear or fertilize the ground . Improperly disposed animals feces can be picked up by stormwater runoff and carried into storm drains or nearby water sources . Storm drains do not connect to sanitary sewer systems and treatment facilities , so pet waste can be the cause of significant stormwater pollution and present health risks to adults , children and other pets .
Pets and children who play in yards or parks and those who garden in yards where pets defecate are at risk for infections from disease-causing viruses , bacteria and parasites found in pet waste .

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Dangers of Improperly Handled Pet Waste

Some of the diseases that can be transmitted from pet

waste to humans include :
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Salmonellosis : the most common bacterial infection

transmitted to humans by other animals . Symptoms include fever , muscle aches , headache , vomiting , and diarrhea .
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Toxocariasis : roundworms usually transmitted from dogs to

humans , often without noticeable symptoms , but may cause vision loss , rash , fever , or cough .
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Toxoplasmosis : A parasite carried by cats that can cause

birth defects such as mental retardation and blindness if a woman becomes infected during pregnancy ; also a problem for people with suppressed immune systems .
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Campylobacteriosis : a bacterial infection carried by dogs and

cats that frequently causes diarrhea in humans .
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Fecal Coliform Bacteria : found in the feces of warm blooded

animals ; poses potential health risk for those exposed to it in water .
STORMWATER FACTS :

1 . The average dog releases

3 / 4 pound of waste per day or 274 pounds per year . North Central Texas is home to approximately 1.2 million dogs ; that ’ s over 900,000 pounds of waste per day !

2 . A days worth of poop from

one large dog can contain 7,800,000,000 fecal coliform bacteria .