{"id":1228230,"date":"2025-04-16T00:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/?p=1228230"},"modified":"2025-04-16T13:30:45","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T17:30:45","slug":"dog-poop-problem-dc-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dirty Truth: How Dog Poop Harms the Environment \u2014 and Why Dog Owners Need to Pick It Up"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dog ownership brings companionship, joy, and physical activity to thousands of residents across the D.C. area. But with more than 200,000 dogs living in the District and surrounding suburbs, there\u2019s a messy problem piling up in parks, sidewalks, and neighborhoods: uncollected dog poop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cD.C. resident venting moment: why is there so much dog poop throughout the city? Dog owners, us <\/em>(D.C.) natives have made great accommodations for you\u2014 Whole Foods, increased height restrictions on row homes, and [a] yoga studio on every corner,\u201d social media user Damelia wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter<\/a>. \u201cAll we ask is that you clean up your dogs [poop].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many pet owners don\u2019t realize that dog waste isn\u2019t just an unsightly nuisance\u2014it\u2019s a serious environmental hazard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike manure from herbivores such as cows or horses, dog feces is not compostable. It is highly acidic and loaded with pathogens, including E. coli, salmonella, and parasites like roundworms and hookworms. When left on the ground, especially near storm drains, this waste gets washed into local waterways during rainfall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers \u2014 already under pressure from urban runoff \u2014 get a dangerous dose of bacteria and nitrogen, which can deplete oxygen levels and harm aquatic life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EPA Classifies Dog Waste<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dog waste is classified as a non-point source pollutant, putting it in the same category as oil, pesticides, and toxic chemicals. One study found that just two or three days\u2019 worth of droppings from 100 dogs can contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay to swimming and shell fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Anacostia River has long struggled with pollution. Decades of stormwater runoff, sewage overflows, and litter have earned it the nickname \u201cD.C.\u2019s forgotten river.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While recent efforts to clean it up\u2014including green infrastructure projects and the nearly $2.6 billion DC Clean Rivers Project<\/a>\u2014have shown progress, uncollected dog waste continues to be a stubborn source of contamination. In fact, elevated levels of fecal bacteria regularly trigger swimming advisories, and dog poop plays a measurable role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Potomac River, often seen as the city\u2019s scenic escape, isn\u2019t immune either. Although generally cleaner than the Anacostia, it still suffers from stormwater pollution. Every time it rains, the pet waste left behind on sidewalks and grassy areas can be carried directly into the river. This not only threatens water quality but also endangers fish, birds, and the broader ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust because dog waste isn’t still on the ground after a rain, it didn’t actually vanish,\u201d said Trey Sherard of the Anacostia Riverkeepers. \u201cThe watershed is 176 square miles all draining to the Anacostia River, so any dog waste that isn’t picked up in that area will be in the river after a rain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He emphasized the dire need to keep water free from dog waste, and the potential dangers of not addressing the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile DC Water and WSSC have made huge leaps forward in reducing human sewage in the Anacostia River, especially in the last two years,\u201d Sharard continued, \u201cdog waste is still poop and it still brings bacteria and other pathogens into the river that count against the water quality we need to make the river swimmable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D.C. Regulates Dog Waste<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the D.C. government website, District law requires all dog walkers to pick up their dogs’ poop unless it is a registered seeing eye dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the environmental cost, there\u2019s a social cost, too. Neighborhood disputes over unattended pet waste are common, and they damage the sense of community many strive for. Some cases make their way to Small Claims Court for serious or repeated issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for elderly or disabled residents, or even busy professionals, picking up after pets can be difficult leading to more poop left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where professional dog poop removal services come in. These companies specialize in weekly or biweekly cleanups of yards, apartment complexes, and dog parks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They ensure that waste is properly disposed of and doesn\u2019t enter the water system. Many even offer deodorizing treatments and visual inspections to ensure that spaces remain clean and safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The D.C. government offers these tips to pet owners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Keep your yard clean by picking up poop every day. Throw your pet’s waste in the trash or flush it down the toilet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Carry disposable plastic bags with you on walks, and bring extras just in case. They don’t have to be fancy; old produce, bread, or newspaper bags work just as well.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Place bagged waste in your own trash can or a public litter can. It’s illegal and not neighborly to use another resident’s can.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Never throw or leave bags of poop on the ground or in a storm drain<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u00a0Set a good example to other dog owners. Carry extra bags and offer them to another dog owner who needs one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Poop Removers to the Rescue<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Jimmy Gifford, owner of DMV Poop Patrol, said he ventured into the dog poop removal business to keep his employees working during the winter when his restaurant business slows down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    He said he launched the company last November, and today he has 65 customers, and the calls keep coming from dog owners in the areas he serves in D.C. and Maryland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cPeople are busy,\u201d Gifford said, \u201cand now that they are no longer working from home, their schedules don\u2019t include time to clean their backyards on top of so many other responsibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    He told The Informer he charges affordable prices and his services not only keep backyards clean, but maintain peace in the household as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThe price we charge, about $20 per week depending on the number of dogs and the yard size,\u201d he continued, \u201cis worth it over fighting with family members about who\u2019s going to clean up the yard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Poop scooping companies, according to the DMV Poop Patrol website, can make a huge difference in quality of life overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cUsing a pet waste removal company like DMV Poop Patrol means convenience, better hygiene, odor control, and environmental care,\u201d the website says, \u201call while enhancing the beauty and usability of your outdoor spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Dog waste is a serious environmental hazard, causing bacterial and nitrogen contamination in waterways, and pet owners in the D.C. area are encouraged to use professional dog poop removal services to keep their yards clean and safe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2281,"featured_media":1228231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"_primary_brand":0,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","nota_seo_page_title":"The menace of uncollected dog poop in D.C. and its environmental toll","nota_seo_page_description":"Dog ownership in D.C. brings companionship and joy but also a messy problem: uncollected dog poop. Environmental hazards and community disputes ensue.","newspack_featured_image_position":"small","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30854,33757],"tags":[34381,66634,81865,1223,81870,81868,81866,34003,81869,81867,45950],"brand":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"nota":[],"coauthors":[54342],"class_list":["post-1228230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-supplements","category-sustainability","tag-anacostia-river","tag-d-c-residents","tag-dog-poop","tag-epa","tag-hookworms","tag-manure","tag-pet-owners","tag-potomac-river","tag-roundworms","tag-storm-drains","tag-wi-supplements","entry"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe menace of uncollected dog poop in D.C. and its environmental toll - The Washington Informer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dog ownership in D.C. brings companionship and joy but also a messy problem: uncollected dog poop. Environmental hazards and community disputes ensue.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Dirty Truth: How Dog Poop Harms the Environment \u2014 and Why Dog Owners Need to Pick It Up\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dog ownership in D.C. brings companionship and joy but also a messy problem: uncollected dog poop. Environmental hazards and community disputes ensue.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Washington Informer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WashingtonInformer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheWashingtonInformer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-04-16T04:30:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-16T17:30:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1118\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"786\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Denise Rolark Barnes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@dRolarkb\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@WashInformer\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Denise Rolark Barnes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Denise Rolark Barnes\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/person\/97d0d6ec384339e1223654f8d0351c23\"},\"headline\":\"The Dirty Truth: How Dog Poop Harms the Environment \u2014 and Why Dog Owners Need to Pick It Up\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-16T04:30:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-16T17:30:45+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/\"},\"wordCount\":1054,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"Anacostia River\",\"D.C. residents\",\"Dog poop\",\"EPA\",\"Hookworms\",\"Manure\",\"Pet owners\",\"Potomac River\",\"Roundworms\",\"Storm drains\",\"WI Supplements\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Supplements\",\"Sustainability\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/\",\"name\":\"The menace of uncollected dog poop in D.C. and its environmental toll - The Washington Informer\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-16T04:30:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-16T17:30:45+00:00\",\"description\":\"Dog ownership in D.C. brings companionship and joy but also a messy problem: uncollected dog poop. Environmental hazards and community disputes ensue.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1\",\"width\":1118,\"height\":786,\"caption\":\"Pet owners should know it is important to clean up after their furry family members as dog waste can be a serious environmental hazard. (Micha Green\/The Washington Informer)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Dirty Truth: How Dog Poop Harms the Environment \u2014 and Why Dog Owners Need to Pick It Up\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/\",\"name\":\"The Washington Informer\",\"description\":\"Black News, Commentary and Culture | The Washington Informer\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"The Washington Informer\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/INFORMERLogo-3.png?fit=1432%2C529&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/INFORMERLogo-3.png?fit=1432%2C529&ssl=1\",\"width\":1432,\"height\":529,\"caption\":\"The Washington Informer\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WashingtonInformer\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/WashInformer\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/washinformer\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCy1nXP8_IuoJ-1N9e53762g\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/person\/97d0d6ec384339e1223654f8d0351c23\",\"name\":\"Denise Rolark Barnes\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/6a259abc32efc6941045118831a2ca9f\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page-96x96.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page-96x96.png\",\"caption\":\"Denise Rolark Barnes\"},\"description\":\"Denise Rolark Barnes is the publisher and second-generation owner of The Washington Informer, succeeding her father, the late Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, who founded the newspaper in 1964. The Washington Informer is a multi-media organization serving the African American community in the Washington metropolitan area. Denise is also president of Washington Informer Charities, a non-profit organization that promotes 21st-century literacy and sponsors writing competitions, internships, scholarships and other events promoting African American history, culture, and literature. Rolark Barnes Rolark Barnes is past chair National Newspaper Publishers Association \u2013 the Black Press of America. She serves on the boards of several local non-profit, community and municipal organizations, including the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (Events DC), the DC Martin Luther King Holiday Commission, National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund, the Maryland, Delaware, DC Press Association, and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and the Pan African Collective. She is also a member of Leadership Greater Washington, as well as an inductee in the D.C. Hall of Fame. She is a native Washingtonian and a Ward 8 resident. She is married and the mother of two adult sons.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheWashingtonInformer\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/drolarkb\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/dRolarkb\"],\"jobTitle\":\"Publisher\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/author\/denise-rolark-barnes\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The menace of uncollected dog poop in D.C. and its environmental toll - The Washington Informer","description":"Dog ownership in D.C. brings companionship and joy but also a messy problem: uncollected dog poop. Environmental hazards and community disputes ensue.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Dirty Truth: How Dog Poop Harms the Environment \u2014 and Why Dog Owners Need to Pick It Up","og_description":"Dog ownership in D.C. brings companionship and joy but also a messy problem: uncollected dog poop. Environmental hazards and community disputes ensue.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/","og_site_name":"The Washington Informer","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WashingtonInformer\/","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheWashingtonInformer","article_published_time":"2025-04-16T04:30:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-04-16T17:30:45+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1118,"height":786,"url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Denise Rolark Barnes","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@dRolarkb","twitter_site":"@WashInformer","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Denise Rolark Barnes","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/"},"author":{"name":"Denise Rolark Barnes","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/person\/97d0d6ec384339e1223654f8d0351c23"},"headline":"The Dirty Truth: How Dog Poop Harms the Environment \u2014 and Why Dog Owners Need to Pick It Up","datePublished":"2025-04-16T04:30:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-16T17:30:45+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/"},"wordCount":1054,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1","keywords":["Anacostia River","D.C. residents","Dog poop","EPA","Hookworms","Manure","Pet owners","Potomac River","Roundworms","Storm drains","WI Supplements"],"articleSection":["Supplements","Sustainability"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/","url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/","name":"The menace of uncollected dog poop in D.C. and its environmental toll - The Washington Informer","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1","datePublished":"2025-04-16T04:30:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-16T17:30:45+00:00","description":"Dog ownership in D.C. brings companionship and joy but also a messy problem: uncollected dog poop. Environmental hazards and community disputes ensue.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1","width":1118,"height":786,"caption":"Pet owners should know it is important to clean up after their furry family members as dog waste can be a serious environmental hazard. (Micha Green\/The Washington Informer)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Dirty Truth: How Dog Poop Harms the Environment \u2014 and Why Dog Owners Need to Pick It Up"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/","name":"The Washington Informer","description":"Black News, Commentary and Culture | The Washington Informer","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#organization","name":"The Washington Informer","url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/INFORMERLogo-3.png?fit=1432%2C529&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/INFORMERLogo-3.png?fit=1432%2C529&ssl=1","width":1432,"height":529,"caption":"The Washington Informer"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WashingtonInformer\/","https:\/\/x.com\/WashInformer","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/washinformer\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCy1nXP8_IuoJ-1N9e53762g"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/person\/97d0d6ec384339e1223654f8d0351c23","name":"Denise Rolark Barnes","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/6a259abc32efc6941045118831a2ca9f","url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page-96x96.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page-96x96.png","caption":"Denise Rolark Barnes"},"description":"Denise Rolark Barnes is the publisher and second-generation owner of The Washington Informer, succeeding her father, the late Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, who founded the newspaper in 1964. The Washington Informer is a multi-media organization serving the African American community in the Washington metropolitan area. Denise is also president of Washington Informer Charities, a non-profit organization that promotes 21st-century literacy and sponsors writing competitions, internships, scholarships and other events promoting African American history, culture, and literature. Rolark Barnes Rolark Barnes is past chair National Newspaper Publishers Association \u2013 the Black Press of America. She serves on the boards of several local non-profit, community and municipal organizations, including the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (Events DC), the DC Martin Luther King Holiday Commission, National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund, the Maryland, Delaware, DC Press Association, and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and the Pan African Collective. She is also a member of Leadership Greater Washington, as well as an inductee in the D.C. Hall of Fame. She is a native Washingtonian and a Ward 8 resident. She is married and the mother of two adult sons.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheWashingtonInformer","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/drolarkb\/","https:\/\/x.com\/dRolarkb"],"jobTitle":"Publisher","url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/author\/denise-rolark-barnes\/"}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"The Dirty Truth: How Dog Poop Harms the Environment \u2014 and Why Dog Owners Need to Pick It Up","url":"http:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=150%2C105&ssl=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1"},"articleSection":"Sustainability","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Denise Rolark Barnes"}],"creator":["Denise Rolark Barnes"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Washington Informer","logo":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1-Logo-Red-on-White.png"},"keywords":["anacostia river","d.c. residents","dog poop","epa","hookworms","manure","pet owners","potomac river","roundworms","storm drains","wi supplements"],"dateCreated":"2025-04-16T04:30:00Z","datePublished":"2025-04-16T04:30:00Z","dateModified":"2025-04-16T17:30:45Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"The Dirty Truth: How Dog Poop Harms the Environment \\u2014 and Why Dog Owners Need to Pick It Up\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.washingtoninformer.com\\\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.washingtoninformer.com\\\/dog-poop-problem-dc-area\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.washingtoninformer.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/image-58.jpg?fit=150%2C105&ssl=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.washingtoninformer.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1\"},\"articleSection\":\"Sustainability\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Denise Rolark Barnes\"}],\"creator\":[\"Denise Rolark Barnes\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Washington Informer\",\"logo\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.washingtoninformer.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/1-Logo-Red-on-White.png\"},\"keywords\":[\"anacostia river\",\"d.c. residents\",\"dog poop\",\"epa\",\"hookworms\",\"manure\",\"pet owners\",\"potomac river\",\"roundworms\",\"storm drains\",\"wi supplements\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2025-04-16T04:30:00Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-16T04:30:00Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-16T17:30:45Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/washingtoninformer.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-58.jpg?fit=1118%2C786&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1206539,"url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dc-dog-park-opens-in-ward-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":1228230,"position":0},"title":"Bowser Admin Opens First Dog Park East of the Anacostia River","author":"WI Web Editor","date":"May 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and her administration celebrated the opening of Texas Avenue Dog Park in Ward 7, the first located east of the Anacostia River, which features two fenced play areas for small and large dogs, grills for public use, seating, shade structures, and a landscaped bioretention area.","rel":"","context":"In "Community"","block_context":{"text":"Community","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/category\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The first dog park east of the Anacostia is slated for the intersection of Texas Avenue and C Street in Southeast. (Anthony Tilghman\/The Washington Informer)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1172108,"url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/d-c-s-ward-7-set-to-open-first-dog-park-east-of-the-anacostia-river\/","url_meta":{"origin":1228230,"position":1},"title":"D.C.’s Ward 7 Set to Open First Dog Park East of the Anacostia River","author":"James Wright Jr.","date":"July 27, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bowser administration officials continue to prepare for the opening of the first dog park located east of the Anacostia River in Ward 7 and community leaders in that part of the city promise that more will be coming soon.\u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Community"","block_context":{"text":"Community","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/category\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The first dog park east of the Anacostia is slated for the intersection of Texas Avenue and C Street in Southeast. (Anthony Tilghman\/The Washington Informer)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/image-119.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":97656,"url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/editorial-howards-campus-deserves-respect-not-dog-excrement\/","url_meta":{"origin":1228230,"position":2},"title":"EDITORIAL: Howard’s Campus Deserves Respect \u2014 Not Dog Excrement","author":"WI Guest Author","date":"April 24, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Gentrification continues to disrupt and unravel the lives and traditions of areas once dominated and celebrated by African Americans. But with the recent clash between newcomers to the District who have moved into the Shaw area and the Howard University community, we can only say, \"Enough is enough.\"","rel":"","context":"In "Editorial"","block_context":{"text":"Editorial","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/category\/editorial\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Courtesy of Howard University","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/image-75.jpg?fit=500%2C320&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":118048,"url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/dr-candace-ashley-the-dog-and-cat-whisperer-of-anacostia\/","url_meta":{"origin":1228230,"position":3},"title":"Dr. Candace Ashley: The Dog and Cat Whisperer of Anacostia","author":"Sam Plo Kwia Collins Jr.","date":"September 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"On any given day, for several hours at a time, one can find a meandering line of dog and cat owners that starts on the front steps of the Animal Clinic of Anacostia and stretches along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue for at least half a block.","rel":"","context":"In "Community"","block_context":{"text":"Community","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/category\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Pet owners line up at the Anacostia Animal Clinic in southeast D.C. (Roy Lewis\/The Washington Informer)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image-154.jpg?fit=500%2C334&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1188171,"url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/coming-up-july-8-the-first-legal-anacostia-swim-in-50-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":1228230,"position":4},"title":"Coming Up July 8: The First Legal Anacostia Swim in 50 Years","author":"Kayla Benjamin","date":"July 5, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"In celebration of major successes in river cleanup efforts, community members can join Anacostia Riverkeeper for the first-ever \u201cAnacostia River Splash\u201d swim event at Kingman Island on July 8.","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Community members can participate in the first ever \"Anacostia River Splash\" swim event at Kingman Island on July 8. (Cleveland Nelson\/The Washington Informer)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1188265,"url":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/anacostia-river-swim-event-postponed-following-heavy-rain-sewer-overflows\/","url_meta":{"origin":1228230,"position":5},"title":"Anacostia River Swim Event Postponed Following Heavy Rain, Sewer Overflows","author":"Kayla Benjamin","date":"July 9, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"On the afternoon before the event date, DOEE and Anacostia Riverkeeper announced that the swim event would be postponed to September.","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Anacostia River from Kingman Island, near RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. (Robert R. Roberts\/The Washington Informer)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2454AAC5-1A59-45C5-8D4D-626D95386F48.jpeg?fit=1200%2C586&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2454AAC5-1A59-45C5-8D4D-626D95386F48.jpeg?fit=1200%2C586&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2454AAC5-1A59-45C5-8D4D-626D95386F48.jpeg?fit=1200%2C586&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2454AAC5-1A59-45C5-8D4D-626D95386F48.jpeg?fit=1200%2C586&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2454AAC5-1A59-45C5-8D4D-626D95386F48.jpeg?fit=1200%2C586&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2281"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1228230"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228230\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1228232,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228230\/revisions\/1228232"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1228231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1228230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1228230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1228230"},{"taxonomy":"brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/brand?post=1228230"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=1228230"},{"taxonomy":"nota","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nota?post=1228230"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1228230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}