Spring poop scooping awaits Sask. dog owners

Spring is in the air and poop is on the ground and that's got Regina's Daniel Diment scrambling.

He's the founder of a Regina company, the Poo Crew, which handles backyard cleanups.

With the snow melting, calls have been streaming in, Diment said.

It's crazy," Diment said. "We have three people answering phones and it's tough to keep up."

"It's not just about aesthetics avoiding sickness is also a consideration, Diment said.

The main concern is the spread of parvovirus, which in dogs can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and in some cases death.

Many dogs have been vaccinated against parvovirus, but puppies that haven't got their shots yet may be more vulnerable.

Regina veterinarian Marilyn Sthamann said the chance of humans getting worms from dog droppings is low.

There's no need for families with young children to be worried, although following general hygiene rules, such as enforcing handwashing before meals, and clearing away dog droppings in the spring, isa good idea, she said.