Some animal waste acts as a nutrient-rich fertiliser. Dog poop does not fall into this category. Unlike manure, dog poop is very acidic because of a dog's high-protein diet. High acidity levels can kill grass, plants and other wildlife. It can contaminate groundwater systems with dangerous bacteria.
Dog poop is rich in living organisms. Unattended dog poop helps spread parasites like hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms. Small children are most vulnerable to these if exposed to backyard dirt. Other diseases found in dog poop can make pets, children and adults unwell. These organisms can live in backyard dirt for a long time.
Learn your dog's pooping habits carefully. Clean up droppings as soon as they happen and dispose of them in a biodegradable poop bag in your household trash. It is appropriate to flush dog poop down the toilet, but this may be impractical. If your dog spends lots of time outdoors, disinfect your yard periodically. Your vet can advise the safest way to do this.