I encountered an idiot the other day. I didn’t have to look far to find him; he was standing in front of my house.

When I came home and happened upon an unfamiliar man letting his dog “water” my plants and tree, I asked him if he would move the dog elsewhere, such as to a nearby pole, to save the greenery. Rather than apologizing and moving on, the man started yelling loudly that dog urine is “healthy for plants.”

When I disagreed, he became louder still and more adamant. “You’re wrong,” he shouted. “I read it on the Internet.”

He announced this several times, bragging of correcting several misinformed people who share my opinion on the subject. I told him not to believe everything he sees on the Web.

I really wanted to remind him that the loudest voice usually has the weakest argument, but he seemed totally out of control, and I was eager to end the discussion.

Obviously, I have no idea what, if anything, he actually read on the Internet. Maybe he doesn’t even know how to read.

But a quick review of any reputable horticultural site will show how harmful urine is to plants.

Urea, in urine, is rich in salt, which sucks moisture from roots and leaves and kills beneficial soil microorganisms. Basically, it burns the roots.

Urea can eat through the bark of a tree and kill small plants in a short time if they repeatedly are victimized by pet urine. The acid destroys the defense system of plants.

And for folks who insist their dog will only go on greenery, I am quite sure that given a choice, the animal would prefer to pee in the house. Otherwise, why do people have to housebreak their dogs? The dogs would be clamoring to go outside.

The sad truth is, most dog owners train their pets to relieve themselves on shrubbery and trees. These dogs could just as easily be trained to urinate at the curb or on the street.

Musing on the offending man’s tirade about what he saw on the Internet made me think about other dubious information people extract from websites and treat as the gospel truth.

I admit I am a skeptic, and because of this, I try to research thoroughly any topic unfamiliar to me. But I always look for reputable, well-known organizations that are widely respected in their fields.

Unfortunately, not everyone does this.

The hopeful brother of a friend died after reading some fake health claims on the web and eschewing conventional cancer treatment in favor of a scorpion venom “cure.”

Anyone who surfs the Internet for a few minutes can find numerous “cures” for cancer that so far have eluded the world’s leading medical researchers. Websites tout as cancer “cures” – everything from teas to herbs to electrolyte formulas to shark cartilage to silly zapper devices that will electrocute cancer cells.

Surfing the Web for health information can have a positive impact on quality of life but only if such surfing is practiced with caution. A lot of misinformation is out there and can pose potential risks, including death, to a too trusting public.

Be alert for products advertised as a quick and effective cure-all for multiple ailments. Be wary of claims that the medical profession and scientists are conspiring to hide this “cure” from the public. And don’t be fooled by complicated jargon and unpronounceable words that sound scientific and professional.

Check facts before embarking on any Web-recommended therapies. Always be sure to check with a physician or pharmacist before taking any unfamiliar potions.

Don’t be gullible. Not everything found on the Internet is reliable.

Learn to separate the credible from the incredible.