Fox and Badger Poo Versus Dog Poo.

fairplay · #1 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 05:26 AM

Hello, forgive me for raising this disgusting habit, but I feel this is too important to ignore.

A Fox when it poo's, usually does so in/on a prominent position sometimes/always ? to mark it's territory. It quickly dries up or breaks down and is returned to the environment without the yuk factor associated with dog poo.

Badger poo can be a bit more messy, but again it poses very few problems for the public as they dig a hole and use it as a latrine (not always landing in the right spot !)

Dog poo on the other hand poses for more problems - not only do they do it directly on the path or just to the side hidden in the grass, but IT STINKS and is probably more of a health hazzard, especially so as the public are more likely to step in it.

I study fungi, and some of the best places to see fungi are on the side of the path in the longer grass where it is more moist and the soil is less compacted - or, as an an extreme example, I attended a public fungus foray yesterday where the speaker warned us that the first part of the trail through the Nature Reserve is an unofficial dog 'emptying' area.

Annoyingly, some insisted on bringing their dogs and more annoyingly, allowed them off the leads with one particular couple with a lurcher, blatantly allowing it to leave the footpath, go over a ditch into a more discrete part of the wood where deer are likely to be hidden and leave its deposit without making the slightest effort to clean it up - knowing full well it was a fungus foray and some of us are likely to go into that area. (The couple also knew some of us had seen this happen and both were members of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust)

On top of this, the dog had not only left the path, but had now become 'out of sight' and likely to see and chase a deer before the owner knew what is happening.
When I asked the owner "Who's dog is that" ? he replied "Oh don't worry, she won't go far, SHE LIKES TO CHASE THE DEER"

:

but getting back to topic, why is it that (for me at least) dog poo is more problematic than dog, badger, or indeed any other animals poo ?

Neil.

2dogs2000 · #2 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairplay

why is it that (for me at least) dog poo is more problematic than dog, badger, or indeed any other animals poo ?

Neil.

I believe that dog poo is more of a problem for you as we should not have to experience it when out and about, as dog owners should be responsible and clean up after their dogs. We expect to find other animal poo when out and about and also it is not usually concentrated in one area (I know badgers do).
Nobody expects someone to clean up after wild animals.

This will make you laugh (well it made me laugh). On a school residential with an autistic lad we had to walk across many fields covered in sheep poo. The lad was quite indignant about it. If dog owners have to clean up after their dogs why don't farmers have to clean up after their sheep?

I disagree with you on one thing that you have said.

Fox poo is the most disgusting stink I have ever come across.

Littlesparrow · #3 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 03:10 PM

I have been told by a farmer, that there is something in dog poo which if pregnant cows eat it causes them to abort. You can see why they get so cross if dogs stray off the path.
Also if dog owners don't worm their dogs they can pass on the worms to us, and one of them can cause blindness.
As for chasing deer, if one got injured I'm sure this is an offense and it is probably an offense anyway because it will stress them out.

Kayleigh · #4 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 03:27 PM

I am a dog owner and it really peeves me seeing the mindless acts that other dog owners seem oblivious to.
I never let my dog off the lead and never walk her in nature reserves I have said this before dogs should be banned from NRs.
I was in Clumber when a dog came bounding over to us the owners don't seem to realise other people don't want some dog jumping all over them why can they not get it.
If my dog went to jump on someone she would get a yank on the lead and told sternly "down"..
As for the mess its disgusting there should be a dog licence to cover the cost of putting more dog bins about and a clamp down on the law to prosecute those that don't pick it up and an even bigger fine if found to leave it hanging in trees..
But you will get scum-bags in all walks of life not only dog owners.

Dorts · #5 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 05:27 PM

I don't think we can or should be concerned about fox/badger any other wild animal poo. They can to do it wherever they like.

Though it is annoying when my dog insist's on rolling in it!

As for dog poo, it should always be cleared up without exception.
Dorts.

lynnendaz · #6 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 05:53 PM

i walk my dog twice daily and always pick up after her,one things that really does annoy me is those who scoop there poop and then proceed to throw the bags in bushes or even worse trees,making them look like some foul stinking Christmas tree.its one thing to not pick up after them but to do this is just pointless

.

fairplay · #7 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 08:14 PM

As much as I hate dogs going in Nature areas, I'm not really having a go at dogs here, just trying to find out why their poo is so offensive when stepped upon compared to fox and badger.
Could it be because dog food is more likely to be processed food as basically it should be more or less the same as what a fox or badger must eat ?

Neil

PS. I believe 2Dogs2000 is wrong when they say fox poo is a disgusting stink - surely that is the scent markings rather than the poo itself ? Correct me please if I am wrong.

2dogs2000 · #8 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairplay

As much as I hate dogs going in Nature areas, I'm not really having a go at dogs here, just trying to find out why their poo is so offensive when stepped upon compared to fox and badger.
Could it be because dog food is more likely to be processed food as basically it should be more or less the same as what a fox or badger must eat ?

Neil

PS. I believe 2Dogs2000 is wrong when they say fox poo is a disgusting stink - surely that is the scent markings rather than the poo itself ? Correct me please if I am wrong.

Maybe I am. But my dog has rolled in it in the past and it was gross.

Kayleigh · #9 (**permalink**) 18-10-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

Maybe I am. But my dog has rolled in it in the past and it was gross.

If you rub tomato sauce in, it reduces the smell..yes I agree fox poo stinks.

Billabong Karen · #10 (**permalink**) 18-10-2011, 01:20 PM

Dog poo is absolutely disgusting especially if you tread in it by accident. But I dont think this is surprising when you consider the rubbish most dogs get fed. If we had to eat what they do... OK, not taking that thought any further

But fox poo has to take the prize for the most vile disgusting ponginess ever. Especially when rolled in. And Elaine - rubbing tomato juice all over the offending dog helps A BIT. But not enough.

I would really be in favour of a mandatory dog-holder licence, a bit like a drivers licence. Some of the morons who have charge of dogs just beggars belief - not to mention the actual cruelty that goes on.