Man's best friend?

Just when you think the air in Mexico City can't get any more putrid comes this news from local health authorities: The mutts that live in the Valley of Mexico are depositing 300 tons of feces here a day, most of which residents end up breathing after it dries and enters the atmosphere.

That's causing humans all sorts of maladies such as salmonella poisoning and intestinal parasites. Not to mention the hazards to pedestrians who are constantly dodging parting gifts left by Pinto (Spot) on sidewalks and in the city's few precious green spaces.

The problem, of course, isn't with the area's roughly 3 million dogs, rather their 3 million lazy owners. It's the rare person here who bothers to pick up after their pooch, despite the proliferation of signs urging them to do it.

La Plaza spotted one recently that rhymes:

"Si a tu canino sacas a pasear, no olvides su popó levantar." (If you take your dog out walking, don't forget to pick up his poop.)

It's going to take a lot more than catchy slogans to change human behavior. La Plaza calls on all Mexico City dog owners to grab a scooper -- your health may depend on it!

Posted by Marla Dickerson in Mexico City

Comments

[Marcelo Soares]

In São Paulo that's becoming quite common. Higienópolis, a rich neighborhood, has so many dogs of every fancy race that they have already become common guests in the expensive shopping center there. In a tree some blocks away from the shopping center, someone put a card saying something like "My friend puppy! When you finish your necessities, remind your owner to pick them!"

Are pet shops as much a growing business in Mexico as they are in São Paulo?