Yes. You should pick it up. Even if no one is around. Bag it. Scoop it. Compost it. Whatever you do, please clean up that dog poop.

Leaving dog-doo on the ground is a big no-no, especially if you live within the vicinity of others. Aside from the courtesy factor, left behind 'gifts' can cause the spread of diseases and bacteria including tapeworm, roundworm, cryptosporidium, and e.coli. These can be transferred by the accidental step-and-bring-inside method, or it can be dispersed by rainfall when animal waste gets carried into drainage systems that go directly into our waterways. Feces also draws flies, which can spread other types of diseases. (Next time that fly is buzzing around your kitchen think where it may have been.)

Many people use plastic bags to pick up dog waste. It is an easy, no direct contact way to do it. However, whether they're from the grocery store or wrapped around the daily paper, plastic bags are still petroleum derived plastic and will hang out for a long time in the landfill. Choose biodegradable poop bags. You'll get the same features as conventional plastic, but the biodegradable bags will break down in a matter of months rather than a few hundred years.

Or instead of tossing your pet's waste into the garbage, you could compost it. Of course, it is a good idea to create a separate compost pile for dog waste, especially if you use your every day compost on your veggie garden. If you have the space, it is as easy as making a few modifications to a metal garbage can and burying it in your yard.

Want to put that poo to good use? See if you can get your city on board by converting dog waste into power. San Fancisco is currently experimenting with this solution.

Amy says: I'm currently without a dog, but if I had one I know I'd opt for the biodegradable bags.

More from GO:

Green Pets: A Quick Overview

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