A recent local report shared by Colorado’s Summit Daily said volunteers pulled more than 130 pounds of dog waste off just two trails during two cleanup days.
That is the kind of number that should stop any pet owner in their tracks. It shows how fast “just one little mess” turns into a trail problem that everybody else has to deal with.
Harmless?
Dog poop is not harmless. Pet waste can bring harmful bacteria into water sources and spread disease to wildlife. And that’s not all! The CDC reports that dog and cat waste can contain germs and parasites that affect people and animals.
In other words, the pile you leave behind is not just ugly. It can become a contamination problem for the trail, the creek, the lake, and the next family walking through.
The health risks go well beyond a bad smell. The CDC says toxocariasis can spread through contact with infected dog or cat feces, and pet waste can also involve other illnesses linked to animal germs.
Public health agencies regularly warn that dog waste may carry bacteria and parasites such as E. coli, Salmonella, Giardia, roundworms, hookworms, and other organisms that can survive long enough in soil or water to matter. That puts hikers, kids, other dogs, and even campsite grass at risk when waste is not picked up and properly disposed of.
Wildlife gets hit, too. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says dog feces is not natural fertilizer and can spread diseases and parasites to wildlife and people, while also polluting water sources. The problem is especially ugly on hiking trails because rain, runoff, and foot traffic can move waste into nearby habitat. That means the impact does not stay on the trail where it started. It spreads outward into the places RVers and hikers are supposed to be enjoying.
Trail managers are also noticing that bad dog behavior can lead to tighter rules. The National Park Service says visitors should bag pet waste and dispose of it properly.
The Bureau of Land Management says hikers with dogs need to keep them under control and check local leash rules. In one real-world example, a park cut off trail access for dogs after officials said owners were leaving poop bags behind and not leashing their pets. Once land managers see repeated messes, they are far more likely to respond with restrictions.
More consequences
There are real consequences for pet owners who ignore the rules. Washington County in Colorado says violations involving leash, license, or dog-waste codes can bring a ticket with a maximum fine of $500.
Other parks and public lands require immediate pickup, proper disposal, and leash control. Some will ask owners to remove troublesome pets or simply limit dog access when the behavior becomes a pattern.
The point is simple: if you do not clean up after your dog, you are not just being rude. You may be breaking local rules and helping push trails toward stricter dog policies.
Dispose properly
For RVers, this is one of those travel habits that should never be negotiable. Carry more bags than you think you need. Pick up dog feces immediately. Pack it out if there is no trash can. Do not hang a bag on a branch, drop it beside the trail, or assume someone else will handle it later.
The people who volunteer to clean up after careless pet owners should not have to keep rescuing our favorite trails one pile at a time. If you love your dog and love hiking, then act like it: Pick up after your dog every single time.
Irresponsible people who do this should be immediately cited with a hefty fine, not a slap on the wrist.
The problem is catching them. Anyone witnessing this should contact the local authorities.
We had a ‘neighbor’ who would walk his dog daily and not clean up after it. A lot of others complained to the police and were told there was no proof of who did it.
I caught him on my cameras twice and showed it to the cops. I actually printed still pictures.
They approached him about it and he denied it was him until they showed him the pictures.
He was fined $50 for each incident.
I haven’t noticed a problem yet in Pa State Parks except a couple years ago at Francis Slocum state park. None around their campground. Last year I did see at another start park where someone left a bag of dog poop.
People are pigs and sometimes those pigs walk dogs. And as for punishment for not cleaning up after your dog, it’s pointless if there is no enforcement. Has anyone actually seen a dog walker fined for it? Nope? Me either.
You are correct Dan. No enforcement ever, especially in rural environment. I walk my dog and carry a small half back pack deal with supplies to clean up after my dog. Guess what, I see the bags full of dog poop left in the side of the walkway. I used to think maybe it was dropped by accident. I guess not. Most things like this rely on the morals of the person to obey.
That’s kind of an insult to pigs, I always say.
The scofflaws won’t pick up after themselves until they get a pain in the wallet. They’ll ruin it for responsible pet owners.
We stayed at a really nice county park in florida. The majority of the people did not pick up after their dog. I asked one of the rangers about it. He said that I need to police the area. They can’t do anything. That is really a shame. A very beautiful park yet the pet owners have no respect for other.
It would be interesting to know how much of that dog waste was in little plastic bags! I see that all the time along well-used trails. People bag it and then leave it for someone else to carry out. It would also be interesting to know how much human waste was removed. Personally, I see more of that than dog waste on well-used trails. It is pretty easy to spot, in fact, easier than dog waste, due to the pile of TP blowing in the wind!
This is exactly why I do not like the pet feature in this news letter. Pet owners do not need the encouragement. We have seen the poop bags left behind dozens of times in the Borrego Springs hiking/walking trails, behind a cactus or rock!
Id prefer they didn’t bag it. Then the scat would not be much different than that left behind by coyotes, rabbits, bear, moose, birds, sheep and goats.
Some how it’s human nature to sooth our conscience if we bag, it even though we leave it behind.
I didn’t realize it was so widespread. I see the dropped bags too and used to think it was by accident! Wow. What a bunch of scammers
I cannot understand a dog parent deliberately not cleaning up after their dog. I always do, and have also been known to (if I accidentally forgot to bring enough bags) mark the spot with a stick, go home, get bags or a scooper, and drive back to the spot and pick it up! I’ve also had people say to me, “Wow. Thank you. I’ve never seen anyone do that before!” when picking up after my dog. Seriously?? It’s not difficult to pick up after a dog. Last year, on our cross-country trip, we stayed at one hotel where nobody had cleaned up AT ALL and there were no bags in the dispensers the hotel provided. I mean, really?! I wrote them a letter! They could even hire a pooper scooper company!
Thank you for the information and admonition, Gail. We have been embarrassed by sometimes carrying too few poop bags while walking dog #3 in campgrounds. It certainly has galvanized our preparation ahead of walking the dog. We remind ourselves that “extra” poop bags weigh little and are a better circumstance than carrying too few. Have a great weekend and safe travels!
Contamination ? When humans urinate on a rock near the trail (not on bushes, please) we leave salt and a lot of minerals behind, which animals appreciate. What about the drugs in our system and urine? What effect does this have on wild animals?
Amazon has pouches to put on your belt to put your own dog poop bags in after picking up. They look useful, although they didn’t look big enough for big dog doo-doo. I would hope they keep the smell in. I don’t suppose it would help to have a couple containers to deposit the bags in along the trails. I’d rather see dog poop than human. People who care about their dogs wouldn’t allow them to have diseases to spread. I always have pockets to carry the empty bags because it’s hard to tell how many are left in the little dog bone containers. I always keep extras because longer walks seem to require more. I had no idea someone was weighing dog poop.