FARGO — A neighborhood in south Fargo says it's battling an invasion of foxtail, a common weed that can cause a lot of health issues for pets. There's nothing people in the neighborhood can do to solve the problem. It's just something they have to deal with.
Paul Hartness says he and his neighbors have been doing everything they can to manage the foxtail that's blowing into their yards.
“There's foxtail floating everywhere in our yard still. I mean, we vacuumed it. We've done everything. We mow our lawn, bag it, try to get rid of it, and it's just, it's here to stay for a while,” says Hartness.
It can be toxic to humans and animals. In some cases it can be deadly. It's a common issue veterinarians see around this time of year.
“Those empty lots, that's what they are. It's full of foxtail and this is the time of the year (is) where it's dangerous, because that foxtail is starting to harden,” said veterinarian Trevor Bjerke.
Foxtail has barbed edges that get stuck in pets paws, noses, and mouths. In more serious cases, it can get trapped in their lungs.
“We noticed their dogs are getting sick, and then we talked to a couple of the neighbors, and all our dogs had the same symptoms. They were throwing up, they were trying to puke. They were sneezing. Our neighbor to the west of us has a black lab. They took his dog in because it was to the point where he couldn't eat,” Hartness said.
Hartness took his pug to the vet where they removed a one-and-a-half inch piece of foxtail trapped in his nasal passage. He says his other dog has been sneezing so much that his nose has scabs.
“I think the biggest thing is just the vacant property over there needs to be maintained better. That's all we're asking,” Hartness said.
He also says he wants other pet owners to be aware of how dangerous foxtail is.
The property is owned by Goldmark Property Management. WDAY News reached out to them, but haven't heard back. WDAY News also reached out to Fargo Cass Public Health, who's responsible for assessing if a property is in compliance with municipal code.
According to Fargo Cass Public Health, the Fargo municipal code does not require bagging of cut grass and/or the application of chemical herbicides. Property owners are able to spray any weeds on their own property as a deterrent to fast-growing weeds in addition to the required mowing, but weed spraying is not required under the current ordinance.
