Really Folks

There has been a significant amount of dog feces found on the beach - even above the high tide mark in people's yards.  This is not for the common good and is unacceptable. Dog feces are a significant health hazard, containing millions of fecal coliform bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella) and parasites like roundworms, which can cause severe illness in humans—especially children—and pets. These pathogens can persist in soil for years, contaminating water supplies and attracting pests. 

Key Health Risks & Pathogens

• Toxocariasis (Roundworms): Dog waste often contains roundworm eggs that can survive in soil for years. If ingested, larvae can migrate through human tissues, potentially leading to organ damage or blindness.

• Bacterial Infections: Campylobacter (diarrhea, fever), Salmonella, and E. coli are frequently present and can cause severe food poisoning.

• Parasitic Infections: Giardia and Cryptosporidium can cause intestinal diseases, often transmitted via contaminated water runoff. Hookworms can cause skin rashes and severe itching (cutaneous larva migrans).

• Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Dog waste can contain MRSA and antibiotic-resistant E. coli. 

Environmental and Public Health Impact

• Water Pollution: The EPA classifies dog waste as a non-point source pollutant, similar to oil or toxic chemicals. Rain washes waste into storm drains, contaminating beaches and rivers.

• Soil Contamination: Parasite eggs can remain infectious in the soil for months or years, posing a long-term risk in lawns and playgrounds.

• Rodent Attraction: Feces serve as a food source for pests such as rats and flies.

Please practice safe disposal habits by bagging the waste immediately to reduce contamination and always, yes, we mean always, dispose of it in the trash, not in storm drains.