Which is better healthwise? Disposing of Dog's pooh in the trash can
or in the toilet?

Hi clairerubin,

Thank you for an interesting question and also for accepting my
findings. I heartily agree with you "Anything we do for a healthy
environment, I consider a win-win situation."

Flushing dog poo down the toilet is best.  

"... the most ecologically sound way to dispose of it is to flush it
down the toilet, where it can be treated in the sewage system, waste
experts said."

http://www.bestfriends.org/blogs/index.cfm?page=news&mode=entry&entry=98D2ADFD-BDB9-396E-9C5B266E23E0B98F

=========

keyword search:

best method dispose dog feces waste environment health

==========

Best regards,
tlspiegel

Perhaps this site will be of interest to you.   

"... the most ecologically sound way to dispose of it is to flush it
down the toilet, where it can be treated in the sewage system, waste
experts said."

http://www.bestfriends.org/blogs/index.cfm?page=news&mode=entry&entry=98D2ADFD-BDB9-396E-9C5B266E23E0B98F

Hi clairerubin,

The best place is in the toilet. I live in Seattle. Here's what the
City Of Seattle and King County say:

CITY OF SEATTLE:

Pet Waste Disposal - Clean water tips 
How can you get rid of pet waste and help keep our waters clean? 
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/Services/Drainage_&_Sewer/Keep_Water_Safe_&_Clean/PETWASTE_200311261725496.asp
..."
? Scoop it up and flush it down the toilet. That's best because then
your community sewage treatment plant or your septic system treats the
pet waste
? Seal the waste in a plastic bag and throw it in the garbage. 
? Bury small quantities in your yard where it can decompose slowly.
Dig a hole one foot deep. Put three to four inches of waste at the
bottom of the hole. Cover the waste with at least eight inches of
soil. Bury the waste in several different locations in your yard and
keep it away from vegetable gardens.
? Use commercially available compost or make your own using garden
waste. Mixing compost with your soil means your plants will need less
chemical fertilizer and puts your waste to good use. Commercial
compost and soil amendments may be available from your solid waste or
wastewater utility as well as your local garden store..."

..."What's the problem with pet waste?
It's a health risk to pets and people, especially children. It's a
nuisance in our neighborhoods.

Pet waste is full of bacteria that can make people sick. If it's
washed into the storm drain and ends up in a lake, stream or marine
water, the bacteria ends up in shellfish. People who eat those
shellfish can get very sick..."


KING COUNTY:

How to Get Rid of Stuff You Don't Want or Need 
Recommended methods for disposing of residential and household waste 
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/WTD/community/oldstuff.htm
Click on Pet Waste...

=========================================

You might consider a Pet Waste Composter:

Doggie Dooley Underground Waste Digesters
http://radiofence.com/doggie_dooley.htm


The thing to remember is to keep it away from storm drains...


Hope this helps!


Cynthia-ga


Search strategy used at google:
seattle pet waste disposal toilet 
pet waste composter

Thanks Cynthia

re: composting animal waste from the link I posted:
http://www.bestfriends.org/blogs/index.cfm?page=news&mode=entry&entry=98D2ADFD-BDB9-396E-9C5B266E23E0B98F

"There is some debate among pet owners and environmental groups about
tossing pet waste into backyard compost bins. Most scientists warn
against it because the compost does not heat up enough to kill the
pathogens such as E. coli -- which could then be transmitted to people
if the compost is used in a vegetable garden.

Industrial composters, used by some cities to dispose of green waste
and kitchen scraps, are a better option. They can reach temperatures
of about 160 degrees, hot enough to kill even the most stubborn
pathogen."

Actually, I think composter was the wrong word, this is nore like a
mini-septic system. I haven't had a chance to look at your link fully,
but I think these devices that you bury in the ground are different..

Thank you all for taking an interest on this question and for your
prompt response. I have been dumping my doggy pooh down the toilet
most of the time for a while now but I was not sure if this was the
best way. It is always easier to dump it in the trash but then when I
did this, my conscience bothered me. I felt like I will be polluting
the environment.  Your responses confirmed my intuition regarding
proper sewage treatment. The bestfriend website explains the hazard of
pet waste getting mixup with composting material especially if it is
used on vegetable Garden. I definitely will share this info and the
bestfiend website with my pet lover friends and relatives. Anything we
do for a healthy environment, I consider a win-win situation.  Again,
thanks for your insights on this matter. I rate tlspiegel response
***** star. Cynthia *** Star.
Clairerubin-ga

Hi clairerubin,

Thank you for the 5 star rating.

Best regards,
tlspiegel

I would use a worm culture.  Even in a small yard or alley you could
use it for pet waste, newspaper, cardboard, grass cliipings and
kitchen waste.  Look up "vermiculture" on the web and you will find
complete instructions.