Responsible Pet Ownership

During these challenging times, having a pet can be a blessing for many families. They can increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, and socialize. Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure; and pets can help us manage loneliness and depression by giving us companionship during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Although there are many benefits of owning pets, there are also many responsibilities required of pet owners. Guidance for responsible pet ownership is provided in the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements  for West Meadows (pp.26-27). Specifically, “All pets must be held or kept leashed or otherwise appropriately restrained at all times they are on the Common Property, and all owners of pets shall be held strictly responsible to immediately collect and properly dispose of the wastes and litter of their pets. The Association reserves the right to designate specific areas within the Common Property where pets may be walked on leashes by their owners.”

Responsible pet ownership includes properly managing pet waste. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pet waste can carry germs and parasites that are harmful to humans. For example, Dog waste can also carry E. coli, parvovirus, and salmonella; and dog waste can transmit different worms such as whipworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms. Roundworms, for example, are common in dogs, and can remain alive in the soil for years. The roundworm is an internal parasite that can cause an infection called toxocariasis. Roundworms are most commonly found in the intestines of dogs and is spread when dogs shed roundworm eggs in their poop.

Another hazard from dog waste is campylobacter bacteria. Campylobacter are bacteria that can make people and animals sick with a disease called campylobacteriosis. Campylobacter is most often spread to people through the feces (poop) of infected animals. Anyone can get a Campylobacter infection, but children younger than 5 years of age, adults 65 years of age and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk for serious illness. This infection can cause gastrointestinal problems in healthy adults; and it can cause life- threatening infections in infants, older persons, and people with weakened immune systems.

Although solid dog waste can be scooped up; germs and parasites can remain. In addition, dog urine can also contain germs and parasites that may cause brown spots in lawns. Unfortunately, once a pet is allowed to deposit unwanted waste in homeowners’ lawns, animal instinct will cause them to repeat this action. Managing pet waste properly is critical to the health and safety of all West Meadows residents. When dog walkers allow their pets to deposit waste on the lawns of other homeowners, they risk exposing children and adults to these germs and parasites.

Sure, some people are conscientious about picking up after their dogs, but many are not. The risks of not properly managing dog waste may escalate the spread unwanted germs and parasites in our communities that are already dealing with the impact of the coronavirus.

We all love our pets! Let’s be responsible and considerate when managing  their waste. Here are a few reminders:

Please properly restrain your pets. 
Please do not allow your pets to deposit waste in other homeowners’ lawns.
Always clean up after your pets. 
Please use the designated areas in West Meadows to walk your dog such  as the dog park that the CDD owns behind the clubhouse.
Keep your pets healthy. 
Please be considerate of others.

Reference: Healthy Pets, Healthy People. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 21, 2020. 