Creature Companion - Interzoo Special September 2019 | Page 16
Responsible Pet Ownership
SCOOP THE POOP !
CLEANING UP AFTER YOUR PETS
By Priyanka Tanwar *
Y
ou would be amazed by the
number of pet owners who leave
their pet’s poop lying around
their neighbourhoods. It is a dirty,
stinky and unsightly situation that ruins
the aesthetic beauty of well groomed
lawns and poses numerous health risks
to residents.
Pet excrement is a breeding ground for
harmful bacteria; worms like hookworms
and roundworms; viruses and parasites
that can cause severe health issues in
human beings such as fever, diarrhea,
vomiting, headaches and toxicariasis.
These infectious agents can persist in
contaminated soil and water for several
years. Rainwater can wash
off infectious agents
such as bacteria and
viruses and toxicants
from
pet
faeces
and
contaminate
waterways like ponds,
lakes, rivers, seas and
oceans. These agents can
pollute both marine and
freshwater
ecosystems.
They result in algal blooms
which can withdraw oxygen
from water and pose a
threat to aquatic flora
and fauna. Additionally,
polluted waterways make
recreational
areas
like
beaches and river banks
unsafe for leisure pursuits
like fishing, camping,
swimming, bathing and
aquatic sports such
as river rafting.
Children are more at risk from these
potential health hazards as they do not
realise the consequences of coming into
contact with pet waste. Many kids have
the habit of not washing hands properly Rodents thrive
on pet faeces
and unattended
pet
waste
can
serve as a common
Pet waste is a serious environmental
menace, being one of the major sources
of soil and water pollution worldwide.
Contrary to popular belief, dog and
cat excrement DOES NOT act as a
natural fertiliser for soil enrichment.
Furthermore, accumulating feline or
canine waste in one particular area
on the ground can leave a deleterious
impact on the overall soil quality.
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after play which further complicates
the situation. Leaving contaminated pet
waste in the backyard also leaves pets at a
higher risk of catching infections again.
Creature Companion | September 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 9 • Noida
food source to a host of rodents such
as rats, squirrels, rabbits, weasels,
beavers, guinea pigs and hamsters.
Their infestation not only decreases the
property value of the entire residential
area but also adds to the health concerns
faced by the local inhabitants.
As part of the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan
initiative, municipal corporations of
many cities across India have issued
notifications to penalise pet owners
found littering public places. The Animal
Welfare Board of India has also advised
Resident Welfare Associations of
gated housing societies to come up
with innovative ways to keep the
neighbourhood clean.
This environmental issue has a very
straightforward solution. Just scoop the