Nobody had to tell Joe Koval that times are tough. A freelance videographer, Koval was always looking for a way to make a little extra cash. So one day while walking his dog, he noticed some backyards had an unusual amount of dog poop.
“People don’t always take their dogs for a walk,” he said. “Some people just open the back door and let the dogs do it in the yard.”
A mess, yes, but also an opportunity, he thought.
“If people didn’t want to pick up their dog’s poop, maybe they would hire someone to do it,” he said.
Thus came the foundation of a new side business, “Always on Doody,” that has brought him customers in Bayonne and Jersey City so far, with a potential to take him almost anywhere there is a back yard in need of restoration.
He said he knew that people didn’t like having the poop in the yard and might welcome his services. And so far, he’s been right.
Although this waste removal business is the first of its kind in Hudson County, it is less rare in other countries. And since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies pet waste as a dangerous pollutant in the same category as toxic chemicals and oil, he believes he is doing a service to the community as well.
A danger to humans and pets
Dog poop becomes mixed with runoff into local streams and watersheds during heavy rain, and can potentially pollute drinking water.
Rain or shine, Koval is out with his scooper to make yards “doody free.” He scours the property until it is all removed. He double bags the poop and either leaves it in the person’s trash or removes it for disposal in his own.
“My clients have the option for me to throw in their trash for free or I take it away for a dollar charge,” he said. “When I take it, I throw it in my own personal garbage can at home. I called the city and got their approval to throw dog waste in the garbage. If it was a large amount, then I would have to bring it to a city Dumpster facility.”
When done cleaning up, he leaves a completion notice on the client’s door and any additional information, such as noticing irregularities in the stool or blood worms.
He said most people see dog stools as an inconvenience, rather than a health risk, but it is both. By removing it, he helps stop the spread of bacteria and possible disease.
Contrary to common belief, people can contract diseases from dog poop that include Parvo Virus, Trichinosis, Whipworms, Hookworms, Roundworms, Giardia and Coccidia.
Pet waste also often contains e. coil and other bacteria dangerous to humans, and roundworm larva is known to create blindness, kidney disorder and other problems in humans.
Dogs can also get diseases from their own waste if left untended.
Unlike other animal waste, dog poop tends to burn grass and leave hot spots, he said, and it often remains where it is for long periods if not picked up.
Easy terms
Koval doesn’t require a contract. People call him when needed, although he visits some of his customers as often as once a week. He won’t try to clear a yard that is covered with rocks, pebbles, or small stones, since these conditions make it nearly impossible for him to clean up. Short of heavy snow and a lightning storm, weather does not affect his service, he said. But he does not work on major holidays. He’ll even do a cleanup while a dog is in the yard, but if the dog shows any sign of aggression, he lets the owners know, and make arrangements to avoid that address in the future.
Koval said he knows it is an unusual service here in the United States, but people are busy with careers, and often want someone to their dirty work for them, especially after the poop has built up in the yard.
Based in Bayonne, Koval has had clients and Jersey City, but said he is looking elsewhere in Hudson County.
“It’s an unpleasant job for most people,” he admits, “but most of the people I deal with are very grateful someone is willing to do it for them.”
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.