I'd like to respond to Randy Campbell's letter (Sept. 5, Simi Valley Acorn) regarding pet waste.

First of all, you have a real genuine complaint, and most people are not aware of the pollution pet waste is.

As a pet waste scooper, I can tell you that, contrary to popular belief, pet waste is not fertilizer, and although it is rich in nutrients its only benefit is for rodents as their major food source.

These nutrients produce rapid growing algae, and when it gets into our waterways it goes into storm drains and flows into creeks, streams and rivers, killing fish when the algae blooms. The pollution to the waterways could cause dysentery or even cholera if accidentally ingested.

Ten million tons of pet waste is produced annually and needs to be disposed of properly. I would recommend that anyone having problems with people who allow their pets to do their business wherever they want, report them to the authorities.

Very soon those same people will be fined for not picking up after their pets, as pet waste will be moved from "food waste" to "hazardous waste" in the near future.

In the meantime, to those of you that do not clean up after your pets, shame on you; if you own the dog, you own the waste, so be a good citizen and clean it up. Reggie Mercado Simi Valley