Thursday, April 17, 2008

Join BCDOG!

Bull Creek Dog Off-leash Group (BCDOG) is a new group forming to adopt the Bull Creek District Park, 6701 Lakewood Drive, with its enjoyable dog leash-free area between the parking lot and the creek,
Growing levels of dog visitors have caused a problem with E coli bacteria coming from dog poop in the creek, at levels above safe contact recreation levels for people and pets. This bacteria also spikes much higher on weekends, when the number of dog visitors peak, according to Mateo Scoggins with the City Watershed Protection Department who is doing regular water quality samples of the creek.
Signs have recently been placed in the park, warning people and dogs to stay out of the creek at the park, and educating visitors on the bacteria problem and the need to Scoop-the-Poop!
The solution is simple - watch your dog and Scoop-the-Poop, keeping it from being picked up on paws and shoe soles and taken to the creek. Don't let your dog poop in the creek. Train your dog to do his/her "business" away from the creek and reward that good behavior.
Dog owners have risen to the challenge with the BCDOG group now forming. Dog Owner Debra Bailey volunteered to act as group facilitator, and has obtained a box of Scoop-the-Poop handouts and dog collar mutt mitt dispensers to pass out to park users. Over 20 people have signed up with the group, indicating their interest in helping educate, scoop, and rally users to help bring the creek back to recreation-acceptable low bacteria levels.
Please join this group and do your part to retain the dog-off-leash privileges in this park.
Send an email to bullcreekvolunteers at gmail dot com and tell us what you can do and offer your suggestions.

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