Letter to the Editor: Please, pet owners be responsible and scoop/bag your pets poop

"Spring has sprung!  We are seeing trees bud, grass turning green and unsightly dog bombs.

I take daily walks and decided to count how many dog poops I encountered.  There were 21, in various stages of disintegration, noted on my 2-mile walk along Trout Run Trail and 35 in a one block area of my neighborhood.

Although not a pleasant task, as pet owners we need to take responsibility and clean up after our furry friends.  Not only is it unsightly, but dog poop isn't good for grass or use as a fertilizer because it's too acidic.  The poop may contain dangerous bacteria and parasites like Salmonella, Giardia, E. coli, Roundworms and Tapeworms.  All these can make humans and other dogs very sick.  The Environment Protection Agency classifies dog poop as a pollutant in the same category as an oil spill. 

It's easy to clean up after our dogs by using scoops or plastic bags. Biodegradable poop bags are available; however, not all poop bags are created equal.  You want to check to see how quickly the bags degrade.