We need your help! The Town of Fenwick Island is working with the Environmental Committee and Town residents to promote proper pick-up and disposal of pet waste. It has been found that dogs are a significant contributor of bacteria in surface waters leading to the Little Assawoman Bay.

Also, the amount of dog waste left on the Town’s streets, vacant lots and our parks as well as private property concerns residents and Town officials. The messes are smelly, unhealthy nuisances that often someone other than the dog owner has to remove. While many dog owners are responsible, it’s time to make sure that pet waste is properly managed for the good health and benefit of everyone.

Why is pet waste a problem?

Rain or snow runoff can carry pet waste directly into waterways or storm drains, which usually empty without any treatment into a stream, river, or estuary. Untreated fecal matter can be a source of harmful bacteria and nutrients.  Just as we don’t want human sewage in our water, it is important to prevent pet waste from being carried into our waterways.   It isn’t just water quality that can suffer. Leaving pet waste on the ground, especially in public areas like parks or beach may pose a risk to children, adults, and even pets.

Consider this…

Pet waste carries disease causing organisms such as Giardia and Salmonella which can make water unsafe for drinking or swimming; to protect the public from illness, swimming beaches and shellfish beds can be shut down due to bacterial contamination, and pet waste can be a cause of that contamination. Pet waste left on public or private can be unhealthy and messy.  One dog probably “goes” at least once, maybe twice, a day. That can be a lot of dogs and a lot of waste!

Let’s work together to keep pet waste out of our water resources and recreational areas.

Do your part: SCOOP THE POOP!

Scooping your pooch’s poop isn’t just a courtesy for those walking behind you; it’s the healthy and environmentally sound thing to do. Picking up after your dog is not only easy, in the Town of Fenwick Island it’s the law!

Here are some easy steps for dealing with your pet’s waste:

• Always carry a plastic bag when you walk your dog
• Re-using an old newspaper delivery bag or plastic grocery bag works well
• To avoid unpleasant surprises, check the bag for holes before your pet’s walk
• Use the bag as a glove to pick up the pet waste
• Turn the bag inside out around the waste, scoop it up, seal the bag, and dispose of it in a trashcan
• Don't place bagged or un-bagged pet waste in a storm drain or hose pet waste towards storm drains as they drain directly to the bay or ocean
• Remove waste from areas where children play or you garden
• Wash your hands with warm, soapy water after dealing with pet waste

For the convenience of our residents and visitors, dog waste disposal stations which provide plastic bags for containment of your pet’s waste have been installed throughout Town at these locations: 

• Atlantic Street Beach-End
• Bunting Avenue between Dagsboro Street & Essex Street
• Bunting Avenue between Houston Street & Indian Street
• Bunting Avenue and King Street (corner)
• Dagsboro Street – near Schulz Road
• Georgetown Street – near Bora Bora Street