Here’s a story about how the City of Austin kicked off a campaign last week to clean up dog poop at a local creek/park because a biologist found dangerously high levels of e.coli in the water there. One of Austin’s most popular dog parks sits near the shore, hence enormous amounts of feces make its way into the water. This, scientists say, can make those who wade or swim in the water very sick.
Which brings me to our ever-popular dog park at White Rock Lake
and the smell that hits me when I pass it —even at a distance—on a sunny weekend day. Because my dog is anti social, we pass the park rather than going in. But there is no doubt as much feces entering White Rock Lake as Austin’s Bull Creek. I actually see evidence that poop isn’t always scooped, especially on the outer edges of the park where the dogs tend to enter the water (they say the poop gets in the water when dogs step in it then take a swim). Now I know we don’t swim in White Rock Lake (most of us wouldn’t’ stick a pole in it) so I’m not sure if this is as much of a problem for us (it still can’t be good). BUT
I DO know that people get lax when it comes to following Pooper Scooper protocol. The TXCN reporter in Austin talked to park patrons about the best ways to get people to clean up after their pooch and everyone seemed to agree— peer pressure. I concur. I think if others weren’t watching, the majority of people would not bend over and pick up after their dog. I’ve seen it happen more than once around the lake: the dog squats, the owner looks around and if there appear to be no witnesses, he bolts with his beast. But when under the watchful eye of a faithful poop picker upper, the culprits are more apt to do the dirty work —they usually carry the equipment to do so simply because it’s the law around here.
