Coquitlam city officials are reminding pet owners to clean up after their animals as part of Dog Waste Awareness Week, which runs until May 21.
In a press release, the city said dog poop on trails and city sidewalks is not only smelly but, also, a health risk, with viruses, bacteria and parasites that can cause disease to other animals and children.
The city wants people to pick up dog poop either by bagging it and putting it in the garbage or by flushing it down the toilet.
It is also reminding residents that plastic bags containing waste do not break down and should not be thrown into bushes or trees, where another person might find them. Compostable bags take months to break down and should also not be thrown in the bushes, said the press release.
Although wild animals poop in the woods naturally, their waste is spread over larger areas, the city said. There are 7,092 dogs currently licensed, according to municipal records, and most congregate around the city’s trails and parks.
“If their owners all throw dog waste into the bush alongside the trails and parks, that’s a lot of waste concentrated in specific areas,” the city said in a press release.
Owners who do not abide by the rules can be fined $150.
