I have just come back from a great walk in the woods with Winston and Eevee and I am truly perplexed by the behavior of some dog owners. The same word keeps echoing in my head,
“Why?!?” Why do it? Why go to all the trouble? It makes no sense. What has gotten me in such a state? Poop bags. Full ones. Lot’s of them. Left behind like little flags saying “Hey, look at me! I was almost responsible.. Honestly.”
It is obvious that the people who are leaving these little treasures for all of us to find intended to do the right thing. They actively chose to go out and either buy or re-use a plastic bag. They store their bags in a location to remind them to bring them on a walk. They brought the bag with them to use on the walk. They even took the time to put the poop in the bag.
Unfortunately that’s where the responsibility ended. Lots of us have passed fellow dog walkers who are in the process of tucking a poop bag in a discreet location. “I will be picking it up on the way back….” is the tagline they use. Maybe they honestly believe they will. Maybe they don’t.
Here are some facts to consider before engaging in this behavior. It takes up to 1000 years for a plastic bag to decompose. It takes up to 3 months for poop to decompose. Plastic bags left outside act as breeding grounds for insects such as mosquitoes and black flies. They smother plants and can harm wildlife. Poop on its own, will return to the soil (unless of course one of my bad dogs eats it first).
So, for all of those who think they are fooling the rest of us by carrying their poop bags but leaving them in the woods. Cut it out. Far better to leave the poop alone and let nature deal with it.
That’s my pawspective for today.
Abbotsford Animal Hospital - Caring for Pets for People in York Region, Aurora, Newmarket, King City, Richmond Hill and the GTA.
Dr. Jory Bocknek
Dr. Bocknek joined Abbotsford in 1994 and became a partner in 1996. Special interests include ophthalmology, ultrasound, behaviour, and physical rehabilitation.
