So, you’re out for a walk with your dog. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and your dog decides—right in the middle of the sidewalk—that this is the perfect spot to… do their business.
You glance around. No one’s watching. You think, “It’s just one little poop. It’ll decompose, right?” Wrong. So, so wrong.
Let’s talk about what ACTUALLY happens when you don’t pick up after your dog.
1. Someone Will Step In It. Guaranteed.
Probably in brand new white sneakers. Probably on their way to something important. And they’ll probably curse you in five different languages. The laws of the universe are clear: if poop is left behind, someone will find it—with their foot.
2. It Doesn’t Just “Go Away”
Contrary to popular myth, dog poop doesn’t dissolve into fairy dust. It takes months to break down, and during that time, it’s leaking harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses into the ground. And if it rains? Congratulations—you’ve just helped launch Poop Soup into the local water system.
3. The Environment is Not a Fan
Dog waste contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus—great for fertilizer, right? Not quite. Too much of it can harm grass, plants, and contaminate waterways, leading to toxic algae blooms and dead fish. So unless you want to turn your local pond into a toxic sludge smoothie, it’s best to bag it.
4. It Gives All Dog Parents a Bad Name
You may be a wonderful, responsible pet parent. But when someone sees poop on a footpath, they’re not thinking “Oh, must’ve been a rogue Labrador with trust issues.” They’re thinking, “Ugh, dog people.” Don’t let one unattended poop ruin it for the rest of us.
6. It’s Just... Basic Decency
Let’s be honest: You wouldn’t leave a diaper on someone’s doorstep. Dog poop is not just a pet issue—it’s a public hygiene issue. All it takes is a poop bag, 3 seconds of courage, and maybe a splash of hand sanitizer.
So, What’s the Solution?
Easy:
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Always carry poop bags. (Clip them to your leash—it’s foolproof!)
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Dispose of them in proper bins.
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Encourage other dog parents to do the same (without being a poop vigilante… unless that's your thing).
Picking up after your dog isn’t glamorous. It’s not Insta-worthy. But it is the mark of a responsible pet parent—and a decent human being. Your neighbours will thank you. The environment will thank you. And so will that one guy in white sneakers.
