Not only does dog waste put a bad smell into the air, it can also produce airborne fecal bacteria. The Georgia-based Clean Water Campaign estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, dehydration, and kidney disorders in humans.

When left on the ground, dog waste eventually breaks down and washes into the water supply, polluting our rivers, streams, creeks and other local waterways. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPP) estimates that just 2-3 days’ worth of waste from only 100 dogs can contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay and all watershed areas to swimming or shell fishing within 20 miles.

Dog waste carries a number of bacteria, parasites and other diseases that can be transmitted to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Children playing outside and adults who garden are most at risk through contact with the soil. Dog waste can transmit different worms that can affect us, especially children. Roundworms, for example, are common in dogs, and can remain alive in the soil for years. According to the CDC, 14 percent of Americans test positive for these worms.