Animal refuse shovel with attachable bag

An animal refuse shovel and disposable bag assembly that provides a repository for animal refuse deposited by an animal on a surface, comprising:

• a bag that comprises a central pocket, a forward pocket, and a rear pocket;
• a shovel comprising a spaded loop and a handle;
• said spaded loop comprising
• a spade having a protruding leading edge for receiving said forward pocket of said bag;
• a first support arm connected on one end of said spade and a second support arm connected on the opposite end of said spade;
• a base connected between said first and second support arms;
• a first extended corner at the interface between the first support arm and the base, said first extended corner having a first shoulder over which a first section of said rear pocket is stretched and a first lower edge over which the first section is wrapped to affix said first section of said rear pocket to said spaded loop;
• a second extended corner at the interface between the second support arm and the base, said second extended corner having a second shoulder over which a second section of said rear pocket is stretched and a second lower edge over which said second section is wrapped to affix said second section of said rear pocket to said spaded loop;
• and
• wherein said spade, said first extended corner, and said second extended corner hold said bag under tension so that said central pocket is held in an open configuration to receive the animal refuse.

A method of affixing a disposable bag to a shovel for the purpose of shoveling and packaging animal refuse deposited by an animal on a surface, the shovel including a spaded loop that has a central opening and a spade with a leading edge, comprising:

• inserting a central pocket of said bag into the central opening of said spaded loop;
• inserting a forward pocket of said bag over the leading edge of the spade;
• inserting a first section of a rear pocket of said bag over a first extended corner situated rearward of said leading edge;
• tensioning said first section of said bag over said first extended corner, thereby tensioning said bag between said leading edge and said first extended corner;
• affixing said first section to said first extended corner;
• inserting a second section of the rear pocket of said bag over a second extended corner situated rearward of said leading edge and opposite from said first extended corner;
• tensioning said second section of said bag over said second extended corner, thereby tensioning said bag between said leading edge, said first extended corner, and said second extended corner;
• and
• affixing said second section to said second extended corner.

A shovel for receiving a disposable bag that has a central pocket, a forward pocket, and a rear pocket, said shovel comprising:

• a handle;
• a spaded loop connected to the handle, said spaded loop comprising
• a spade having a protruding leading edge for receiving said forward pocket so that said leading edge is substantially covered by said bag,
• a central opening for receiving said central pocket of said bag, and
• means for affixing said rear pocket of said bag to said spaded loop under tension, including a first extended corner and a second extended corner over which said rear pocket is tensioned, so that said bag is tensioned between said spade, said first extended corner, and said second extended corner, said second extended corner situated opposite said first extended corner.