Dawesville has seen a steady rise in dog ownership, which is usually a lovely sign of a thriving, outdoorsy community. What has not been lovely is the increase in dog waste left on verges, lawns and pathways. Residents are reporting more uncollected faeces and more bagged waste dumped beside footpaths. Let's outline the health, environmental and social consequences of these actions and the steps councils can take to address the problem.

Health Risks That People Often Do Not Realise

Dog faeces are not harmless. They carry pathogens that can survive in soil for months. These include roundworm eggs, hookworm larvae, giardia and campylobacter. When left on lawns, these organisms can be picked up by children playing outside, gardeners working with soil or other pets sniffing or walking through contaminated areas.

One of the most concerning risks is toxocariasis, a parasitic infection that can cause fever, organ damage and in rare cases permanent vision loss. The eggs can remain viable in soil long after the faeces have broken down. This is why leaving waste behind is not just inconsiderate but a genuine public health hazard.

Environmental Damage That Builds Up Quietly

Dog waste is high in nitrogen and phosphorus. When it washes into drains during rain events, it contributes to nutrient overload in local waterways. This can trigger algal blooms, reduce oxygen levels and harm fish and bird life. In coastal suburbs like Dawesville, where stormwater flows quickly into estuarine systems, the cumulative effect is significant.

Plastic bags left on pathways or thrown into bushland add another layer of harm. They break down slowly, release microplastics and can be ingested by wildlife. A single bag of dog waste can take decades to decompose.

Social Impacts That Undermine Community Pride

Uncollected dog waste is one of the fastest ways to sour neighbourly relationships. Residents who maintain tidy verges feel disrespected when others allow their dogs to foul their property. It also discourages walking, cycling and outdoor play when pathways are dotted with waste or abandoned bags.

Neighbourhoods with visible dog waste are consistently rated as less safe, less cared for and less welcoming. This affects property values and community morale.

Reasons That Make People Think Twice

• Disease transmission — pathogens in dog faeces can infect humans and pets long after the waste disappears.
• Soil contamination — parasite eggs can survive for months and spread through gardens and verges.
• Water pollution — nutrients and bacteria wash into drains and harm local waterways.
• Wildlife harm — plastic bags and faecal bacteria both threaten native species.
• Community reputation — visible waste makes a suburb look neglected and reduces community pride.
• Legal consequences — fines apply for failing to pick up after a dog or for littering.

Legislation Councils Can Use

Local governments in WA already have powers under the Dog Act 1976 and the Litter Act 1979. Councils can strengthen these with local laws that require owners to carry a waste collection device at all times, mandate immediate removal of faeces and impose penalties for leaving bagged waste in public places.

Some councils introduce verge protection laws that treat dog waste as a form of damage to private property. Others use littering provisions to issue fines for abandoned bags. Councils can also require dog exercise areas to include signage, bins and bag dispensers, funded through dog registration fees.

How These Rules Can Be Enforced

Proving an offence can be challenging, but councils have several tools available. Rangers can patrol high traffic areas, respond to resident reports and use CCTV in hotspots. Witness statements from residents are valid evidence under WA law. Some councils also allow photographic evidence when it clearly identifies the dog, the owner and the act.

Education campaigns are often paired with enforcement. These include verge signs, community reminders, social media posts and partnerships with local vets and pet stores. When residents understand both