Pet owners asked to flush their dog’s business

WATCH: Metro Vancouver clarifies rules on what to do with animal waste in the region. Tanya Beja reports.

Coquitlam’s recycling rules have some pet owners feeling a bit squeamish.

With the new policy recommendation surrounding the handling of organic waste taking effect today, bags of dog waste cannot be thrown into public or private garbage cans.

Instead, the city says pet owners should flush dog feces down the toilet.

This does not apply to cat feces. According to Metro Vancouver, cat feces can contain a parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is linked to the disease toxoplasmosis and is unsafe for people, in particular, pregnant women. Cat feces should not be flushed, handled or composted but instead should be double-bagged and put in the garbage. All litter (even litter sold as flushable) can clog your sewer or your building/city sewer and should not be flushed.

For dogs, there are several dog waste diversion programs in the following parks: Pacific Spirit; Capilano River; Aldergrove; Boundary Bay; Tynehead and Crippen.

Neighbouring Port Coquitlam has additional suggested options for pet owners on their website including building a pet waste composter, hiring a professional pet waste disposal service or “searching the internet for pet toilet training techniques.”

Metro Vancouver says up to 15,000 tonnes of pet waste ends up at the landfill every year, generating methane gas — a major contribute to greenhouse gases that is 21 times more potent than CO₂.

Coquitlam is offering extended hours on their “trash talk” hotline starting tomorrow. Residents can call 604-927-3500 or visit www.coquitlam.ca/trashtalk for advice on what to do with doo doo.