Arizona, there is no Dog Poop Fairy.

We Arizonans love the outdoors and our dogs (for some the order is definitely reversed). However, many dog owners/pet parents seem to forget there are, in addition to the pleasures of having a dog, responsibilities.

One of those responsibilities is cleaning up after your dog. There is no “Poop Fairy” coming behind you to clean up your dog’s solid waste.

In addition to being unsightly and malodorous, it is toxic. A dog’s feces has bacteria that are a part of its waste. The EPA, in 1991, labeled it a non-point source pollutant in the same category as herbicides and insecticides; oil, grease and toxic chemicals; and acid drainage from abandoned mines. (http://www.doodycalls.com/resources-toxic-dog-waste/).

This has impacts on our water and parks while harmful to children who think it would be interesting to see how it tastes. I can hear people saying, “Oh come now, what child eats dog waste?” I don’t know of any personally, but I have seen dog waste within 20 feet of the small children’s playground at Golden Eagle Park.

There might be one or two who would have the curiosity to try it, if they manage not to step in it.

In addition to seeing waste being left on our town parks and streets, as a steward for both the Fountain Hills and Scottsdale Preserves, I see many people who think there is a Poop Fairy patrolling the Preserves and the county park. Nothing can be further from the truth. It can be very disturbing to people, who want only to enjoy these wonderful resources, to have dog feces intrude on their experience.

Please consider the impact you are having on others when you decide not to pick up your dog’s solid waste.

My apologies to the 1897 editors of the New York Sun.