Question
I have just completed spreading leafgro over my lawn areas (and then reseeded).  However, my 13 lb male dog has taken a liking to it and has been eating it (not voraciously) and his stools come out black.  Our vet (holistic) says we should keep him away as we don't know what kind of bad material is mixed in.  Could you enlighten me in this area?

Regards,

Frank

P.S. - I have bookmarked this page and will be using it to learn more about organic lawncare and gardening that my wife does.

Answer
The great State of Maryland processes cut Land Clearing Debris, mowed Grass clippings, and Autumn Leaves collected by participating Counties, packages it up, throws a Leafgro label on it and sells it to nurseries and landscapers as a soil amendment.

This is a great first step in environmental conservation.  But there are several potential associated problems.

Grass that was doused with 'Weed And Feed' and 'Weed B Gone' before it was cut will still be covered in residual weedkiller and pesticides when they're mixing it into the Leafgro.  An independent study of LeafGRO and ComPRO was done at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland by the Center and the EPA et al to see if it could be used as a safe soil amendment in the wild.  Their report is posted online:

http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry2rs/perry2rs.htm

Although Land Clearing Debris is technically limited to natural things like dirt, wood and rocks, it most certainly has to include odds and ends that could be anything from the styrofoam cups used by the crew during lunch to runoff from hazardous household chemicals that sneaked in along the disposal route.  Odds and Ends?  You don't want your dog eating Odds and Ends.  You may as well select anything behind Door Number 3.  Sure, they have a whole Resource and Recovery Act that lists what is legally allowed to be mixed in as LCDs.  But in reality, this could be dangerous.  Heavy metals are one of many causes of dark stools in dogs.

Your vet is a wise, careful medical professional.

Pleasure to meet you.  Keep in touch.  Thanks for writing.