The Poop Scoop

Ten Reasons to Pick Up After Your Dog

Every responsible dog owner agrees... picking up after your dog is a MUST. No matter where or when it occurs, there is NO excuse for not scooping the poop. So here are 10 reasons why EVERY dog owner MUST be responsible for picking up EVERY TIME.

1. It's the law.   Just like littering, it's unlawful NOT to pick up after your dog, and your violation is subject to fine. BARC fully supports tough fines against people who do not pick up after their dog.



2. It's common courtesy.   Cleaning up after your dogs shows respect for others in our community. Only irresponsible dog owners leave their dog's poop where it falls for others to have to look at, step in or clean up after. Leaving dog poop also encourages other dogs to mark that spot, so one poop can often turn into two or more in the same spot!



3. Dog Poop is unhealthy.   Abandoned dog poop can host diseases and/or parasites which can infect other dogs who come into contact with it, or be transmitted to people who accidentally step in it and track it home. Disposing of dog poop immediately helps all dogs in Beverly stay healthier, and reduce public concern about feces-borne illnesses.



4. Dog Poop is unsightly.   Everybody knows that... it's disgusting. Pick it up. We all deserve to live in a clean city where we can be proud and step lightly.



5. Dog Poop tops the list of complaints against dogs.  More than dog aggression, nuisance barking or unsupervised dogs, most complaints against dogs are about people not cleaning up after their dogs. This is true for city parks, sidewalks, and your neighbors' lawns.



6. Dog Poop bio degrades slowly.   Some people think it's okay to leave dog poop because it will break down naturally. However, the biodegration process is very slow, and especially in our parks where dog owners share the space with the rest of the community, abandoned dog poop can accumulate faster than it breaks down. Especially in the cold weather, poop can freeze and remain where you left it for several weeks to several months.



7. Dog Poop pollutes the water.   We are fortunate to live next to the ocean, but it is important for us to realize that dog feces, like any feces, contains high levels of nutrients, which actually pollutes the water. Dog Poop left near the water, on a slope that leads to the water, or any place where rain runs into storm drains, eventually spills out to the sea. So, from an environmental perspective, it's simply irresponsible. And please don't use the storm drains to dispose of dog poop, as this is a direct conduit to the ocean!



8. 3,000 dogs make a lot of poop!   There are over 3,000 registered dogs in Beverly, and each one poops once or twice a day... you do the math! Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. The number of dog owning households is on the rise, so it's more important now than ever before that we all get in the habit of being responsible for picking up EVERY TIME.



9. Dog Poop kills our reputation.   The worst thing about dog poop is that it destroys public opinion. Dog Poop is the number one reason for negative public sentiment against dogs. Every time you don't pick up after your dog, you are giving one more reason for others to dislike dogs and dog owners.



10. Your actions set an example for others.  When you pick up after your dog, you are part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. And your actions will help foster the sentiment that it's the right thing to do. Many people even carry extra bags to offer others as a subtle and neighborly hint to others who might otherwise leave the poop unpicked up.

It's up to each of us to do our part in keeping Beverly clean and poop free. Make sure you carry bags with you. Don't depend on bag dispensers, but carry your own. In fact, carry extras and offer them to dog owners who aren't prepared or may be ignorant of the importance of picking up after their dogs. Spread the word that Poop Kills Our Good Reputation as Responsible Dog Owners!

More and more people are taking it on themselves to pick up Orphan Poop... These people are truly ambassadors. You can set a good example too. If you see orphan poop, pick it up with one of those extra bags you are carrying. I know, I know! Nothing like picking up somebody else's cold poop, but what a message it sends to others! Your actions will encourage others to do the same, and soon, this will be a non-issue, because everybody will simply pick up without giving it a second thought.