Village To Install Up To 15 New Dog Waste Stations This Summer

SHOREWOOD, WI— In order to combat the drastic effects that even a small about of dog waste can have on waterways, Shorewood plans to install up to 15 more dog waste stations around the village, an announcement said.

The new stations will be installed over this summer. Each will have messages that remind people to clean up after their dog and bags for residents to use, but the new stations will not have garbage cans attached to avoid any foul odors, the village said.

"Shorewood had 410 licensed dogs last year, producing approximately 615 pounds of dog waste, and that's just the licensed dogs," the village said in its announcement.

The 15 stations will be bought using sponsor money from two anonymous Shorewood residents, the village said. Each station will carry hundreds of bags for people to pick up after their dog.

Other residents can support the initiative by signing up to periodically replace the station bags, the village said. Community members, organizations and residents can adopt a station with a commitment to refill the bags when they run out.

The village added that studies show only a small amount of dog waste ends up getting picked up, which can have consequences if rain picks it up and sweeps it into Lake Michigan or other waterways in the area.

The village pointed out in its announcement that according to the EPA, bacteria from just 100 dogs' waste can be enough to close a beach to fishing and swimming. The bacteria and viruses from this waste are harmful not only to other dogs, but to humans as well, the village said.

Persons looking to sponsor or adopt the new waste stations can contact the Assistant Village Manager, Tyler Burkart, at 414-847-2705 or email at tburkart@villageofshorewood.org.