If you walk your dog regularly, you've probably noticed it too.
I walk my own dog through our neighborhood almost every day, and there isn't a single walk where we don't come across piles of dog waste left behind. Unfortunately, this isn't unique to one neighborhood. It's an issue people all across Southern California are talking about. Browse local community forums like Nextdoor, and you'll regularly find posts from frustrated residents asking why so many people aren't picking up after their dogs.
As dog owners, we all share the responsibility of keeping our neighborhoods clean. Picking up after our pets is one of the simplest ways we can show respect for our community, protect the environment, and help keep other pets healthy.
It's More Than Just an Eyesore
Many people assume dog waste will simply break down and disappear like a natural fertilizer. In reality, that's a common misconception.
Dog waste contains harmful bacteria and parasites that can remain in the environment long after it's left behind. It creates unpleasant odors, attracts flies and other pests, stains sidewalks, damages grass, and makes parks, sidewalks, and neighborhoods less enjoyable for everyone.
Unlike the waste of many wild animals, household dogs typically eat protein-rich commercial diets, making their waste much more concentrated. It's not something that should be left on the ground.
It Can Pollute Our Waterways
The impact doesn't stop where the waste is left.
When it rains or lawns are watered, bacteria and other contaminants from dog waste can be carried into storm drains. In Southern California, storm drains often flow untreated into local creeks, rivers, beaches, and eventually the Pacific Ocean.
Leaving dog waste behind doesn't just affect your neighborhood—it can contribute to pollution that impacts our local waterways and marine ecosystems.
Other Dogs Can Be Exposed
Dogs naturally explore the world with their noses.
When dog waste is left behind, other dogs are likely to stop and sniff it. Some dogs may even try to lick or eat it, a behavior known as coprophagia. While it may seem unusual, it's relatively common.
The concern is that another dog's waste can carry parasites, bacteria, or viruses that may expose other pets to illness. Picking up after your dog helps reduce that risk and contributes to a healthier environment for every pet in the community.
It's About Respect for Your Neighbors
Whether your dog relieves itself in a park, along a sidewalk, or on someone else's lawn during a walk, it's your responsibility to clean it up.
No homeowner wants to walk outside and find dog waste in their yard. No family wants their children to step in it while playing, and no one enjoys tracking it onto their shoes after a walk.
Cleaning up after your dog is one of the simplest ways to show courtesy and respect to the people who share your neighborhood.
A Small Habit That Makes a Big Difference
Being a responsible dog owner doesn't require much—it simply requires being prepared.
Carry waste bags every time you head out for a walk. Pick up after your dog immediately and dispose of the waste properly in a trash receptacle.
It takes less than a minute, but those few moments help protect public health, reduce unpleasant odors, prevent pollution, keep our neighborhoods looking their best, and create a safer environment for other dogs and their owners.
When every dog owner does their part, the result is cleaner parks, healthier neighborhoods, cleaner waterways, and a stronger sense of community.
Together, we can make Southern California's neighborhoods cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable—for our families, our neighbors, and the dogs we all love.