In addition to getting other pet owners to pick up their dog's poo, you should do the same, even if it's in your own yard. Don't let the poo sit there for days because it can be unhealthy to your pet — and to you! Pick up after your pooch right away to stop worms and other harmful parasites from affecting other pets.

While it is a smelly nuisance, the biggest issue with dog feces is the health hazard. The waste can contain a number of parasites like parvovirus, various worms, giardia, and coccidia. When left to rot, the parasites can contaminate water and soil, and cause infections in animals AND humans. Hookworms are especially dangerous because they are easy to catch. Removal should happen every week or more.

England has taken a number of strong stances against the spread of dog poop flooding public areas. While some attempts are pretty standard fare, like appealing to the public to help pick up waste, or speaking to offenders face to face, they also have a few wonderful and hilarious concepts too.

Here in the US, 33 states have taken up DNA testing of dog feces in order to track down the people responsible for leaving it. BioPet Vet Lab in Tennessee offers its PooPrints testing kits to interested parties, be it apartment complexes, neighborhoods, or cities.

Some concerned citizens have decided to pick up the slack themselves, and find ways to make money doing it! Tyler Irvine may only be thirteen, but his business acumen belies his years. He began his own business, calling himself “The Turd Burgler.” Tyler, armed with a rake and scooper, offers his services for between $25-$50, cleaning yards great and small. Oddly enough, there is more demand for his service than there would be for mowing lawns!

Do you have your own creative ways to get your neighbors to pick up after their dogs? For more information head to The Animal Rescue Site. Perhaps next time you see them you can crack a joke and say “Hey! Nice poop you left on my lawn!” or something similar.

They may not appreciate the serious joke, but it may gently remind them that people notice, and cleaning up after their pooch is not something that flies under the radar. Also be sure to set the standard by cleaning after your pup daily, too.