ContentDesk) March 23, 2004–Dog owners in northern parts of the U.S. are getting into their backyards as winter gives way to spring. They look at all the piles of dog waste there, and wonder where it all came from. Dog owners in southern parts of the country feel like they never get a break from the task of picking up their dog’s waste.The Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (aPaws), a trade organization of professional pooper scoopers, is reminding everyone that National Scoop the Poop Week is April 24 April 30.

Many cities have scoop the poop laws. Fairfax, Virginia requires dog owners to remove their dog’s waste from another’s property, including public property. Minneapolis, Minnesota dog owners must remove their dog’s waste from public and private property, even the owner’s property. Seattle, Washington has perhaps the strictest laws, whereby dog owners must remove dog waste from their property within 24 hours after it has been deposited.

So animal waste disposal services use awareness, education, and ordinances to alert residents of the proper disposal techniques, along with offering their services.”Hate to Doo! is hosting a “Scoop the Poop Day” for the Iron Horse Trail in Northern California on Saturday, April 24, 2004 to create awareness of “National Scoop the Poop Week” in California. Volunteers starting from Heather Farms will scoop the poop and pick up trash along the Concord, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek stretch of this popular hiking trail. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Life Line and E.A.R.