Local Vet Says Pick Up After Your Dog
(this letter was sent to the Lewisboro Ledger and printed in their March 4, 2004 issue)
I live on Truesdale Lake. It is a hidden treasure with beautiful views for any season.
This morning I went for a jog and was taken aback by the amount of dog feces a.k.a. poop I had to jump over during my 3 mile run around the lake.
Many people enjoy walking the lake loop because of the gorgeous water views but to have to watch every step you take because of the tremendous amount of dog feces is just not right.
Not only is it unpleasant to step on, but there are also some serious health reasons for avoiding dog poop. Dog feces can carry potentially harmful pathogens to humans and other pets alike. Certain diseases such as Toxocarosis (Roundworm infection) and Ancylostomosis (Hookworm infection) can be transmitted to other dogs and possibly children by the ingestion of contaminated feces.
As a veterinarian, I treat many cases of roundworm and hookworm infection in my patients every week. I routinely deworm all puppies and kittens 2- 4 times before they are even 16 weeks of age. Even older animals can become infected with roundworms and/or hookworms if they ingest contaminated feces.
Animals that are not routinely dewormed can be unknowingly infected with these parasites. Infected animals can then shed microscopic eggs in their feces, which can then transmit the disease to other animals if the poop is “accidentally” ingested. Eggs may remain in the soil for many months and contaminate the environment. Young children should not play in areas contaminated with dog feces.
If you would like more information on how roundworms and hookworms infect humans, go to the Centers For Disease Control Website at www.cdc.gov. Search the alphabetical list under roundworms and hookworms. See how serious these diseases can be for you and your beloved pets.
I’d also like to mention that according to our Town Clerk Kathleen Cory that although the town doesn’t “have a “pooper scooper” law–our town code says dogs can’t make the “deposit” on the road in the first place.
As a resident of Lake Truesdale, I want to say enjoy your walks, take your pets out for exercise, enjoy the beautiful views, but please pick up after your dog.
Nextdoor Truesdale is a private website (separate from this website) for neighbors in the Truesdale Lake area to share items, make announcements, ask questions, and ask for help neighbor to neighbor.
If you are in one of the lake associations, or you are in the neighborhood of the lake, you should join in.
Things to know before visiting Love Lake:
Great news outdoor lovers, entrance to Love Lake Dubai is free.
All you need is fuel for your car and plenty of battery power for your camera!
Access to the Love Lake is 24 hours.
Love Lakes Dubai is located along the Al Qudra Road (D63), approximately a 45- minute drive away from Dubai. Al Qudra Road can be easily accessed via Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66) or Emirates Road (E611), depending on which way you are coming from.
You will need to drive your own vehicle to get there – learn more tips for driving in Dubai and hiring a car as a tourist.
To avoid getting lost, it is advisable to use Google Maps or Waze to reach the location.
There are two parking areas available. Although some off-road driving to the lakes is present, driving a 4×4 car is not required. If you plan to drive off-road in the neighbouring desert area, a 4×4 is recommended.
What can you do at Love Lake?
You mean, apart from taking the most stunning selfies and Instagram-worthy pictures at various spots around the lakes?
The rubber track around the lakes with the beautiful foliage around, almost 7km in length, allows for a wonderful stroll and jog.
Take the opportunity to dip your feet and walk across the shallow parts of the lakes. You may even spot some fishes and ducks.
Get your binoculars out for some bird watching while you spot native and even migratory birds, or simply sit on the ‘love’ benches while you hear them sing.
Light up one of the fire pits and enjoy a barbecue with your family or simply roll out your picnic spread while the kids ride their bikes.
More than anything, this place is the perfect spot to catch a beautiful sunset with your loved ones. With no high-rise buildings to block views, you get uninterrupted views of the beautiful orange sky, as the sun sets over the dunes. Hang around till after sunset and you may even get to spot twinkling stars and constellations as you look up into the night sky.
Traveling Couple Falls In Love With A Beach Dog | The Dodo Faith = Restored
No dogs are allowed at the beaches of Truesdale Lake. Why are no dogs allowed on these areas?
The diseases above can cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and blindness. The effects are more severe for our youngest and most at-risk citizens (infants, cancer patients, immune system compromised individuals). You know that kids will be at the beach. Don’t put them at risk.
If you think “My dogs are clean, dewormed, etc. so they shouldn’t be a problem — I’ll take my dog to run on the beach when no one is around” — DON’T DO THIS! If you do you are placing your short term selfish desires above the long-term health of the lake community and its most vulnerable residents. Other pet owners will see you and assume it is OK to let their dogs go on the beach area.
Any problems that happen will affect the small children who are the most frequent beach users — and also the most likely to encounter your pet’s feces in the sand at the beach. Nobody knows with absolute certainty that their pet is disease or parasite free.
“I wouldn’t let my pet ‘go’ anywhere on the beach area.” If you have a remote control switch for your pet’s bowels I am sure other dog owners would love to get one too. Be realistic and keep your dog off the beach at all times.
We have also heard “the geese poop on the beach all the time – what difference will my dog make?” While it is true that geese share our lake, they are also wild animals. Unlike dogs, they have no owner (you) who is responsible for them, knows the law, and doesn’t want to cause harm to a child. Also, there are fish in the lake, and frogs, and turtles, and heron, raccoons, muskrats, fishers, otters, and the occasional bald eagle. All presumably do their business in the lake. Again we have no choice in the matter. But your dog is controlled (most of the time) by you!
Dogs are not children and you should never make the mistake of thinking they are more important than our children. You should know the law, the rules, and the proper thing to do. Be an adult.
Please – Do not ever take your dogs onto the beaches of Truesdale Lake. Not only is it the law — it is the right thing to do!
Also: If you walk your dog or dogs around our lake, please read these two articles: