Impacts of Dogs on Wildlife

Reptiles, waterfowl, songbirds, rabbits, deer,  and bobcats change their path and patterns to avoid areas where dogs, perceived as predators, are detected. This includes smelling left behind urine or feces after a dog is no longer present.

Wildlife has also been shown to change daily habits such as inverting day and night activity to be less active when dogs are present and increased activity when they are absent.

 Wildlife perceives dogs as predators and is more alert when they are present causing stress hormone levels to elevate. This can have long-term impacts such as reduced reproduction, growth, and compromised immune systems. 

 dogs cause death by transmitting deadly diseases including rabies, giardia, distemper, parvovirus, and toxoplasmosis. Additionally, wildlife can transmit diseases to domestic animals. 

 Dogs can chase and kill wildlife species such as fish, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, squirrels, deer, or foxes.  

 Humans who come in direct contact with dog waste risk contracting hookworms, roundworms, E. coli, or salmonella. These parasites and bacteria also spread through polluted water where a dog has defecated or where feces were carried by stormwater. Dog waste also impacts visitors' enjoyment of a natural area.