Pet Waste

Why It's Important to Scoop That Poop!

When it rains, pet waste that is left on the ground can travel to our local waterways and cause elevated levels of bacteria that can infect pets and humans. The effect pet waste has had on our waterways has deemed it the #3 cause of water pollution. So much so that in 1991, the EPA deemed dog waste to be as toxic as oil spills.

It has been found that two or three days’ worth of droppings from 100 dogs contributes enough bacteria to close a bay and its watershed areas within 20 miles to swimming and shell fishing.

Bags

Pet Waste Outreach

If you are interested in having a speaker visit your community to provide pet waste outreach information, please contact our office at Sustainability@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Things That You Can Do

  • Take our Pet Waste Survey!  
  • When walking your pet, always carry disposable bags with you and pick up after your pet.
  • Be sure to properly bag the waste and deposit it in a trash can or at a pet waste station. Do not throw pet waste that is in a bag on the ground, in a storm drain, or into a wooded area. Click here for a list of County parks that have pet waste stations.
  • If your dog is trained to go in your backyard, make sure to take steps to pick up the waste during dry weather periods, before the next rainfall to reduce the amount of bacteria and nutrients reaching our local waters.
  • Read the Scoop the Poop Brochure!

Properly oes_ghc_gl_logo Opens in new windowdisposing of pet waste can earn you 5 POINTS in the Green Homes Challenge - Green Leader Challenge! Visit FrederickGreenChallenge.org to get started and earn your points!

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