More and more communities are taking action
against owners who allow their dogs to leave
deposits on lawns and walkways.
By Arden Moore
As a pet behaviorist who travels all over North America to help people better understand why dogs and cats do what they do, the conversation invariably shifts toward what I refer to as the 3 Pet P’s: pee, poop and puke.
Yes, I can arm you with medical and behavior facts and strategies to keep your pet’s body functions humming harmoniously. I know the ins and outs of feline hairballs and can explain the best ways to get a young pup to potty on command. And, yes, I can offer you a mini-chemistry lesson on gobbling up protein molecules found in pet poo by using the right protein enzymatic cleaning product.
But, I remain baffled by why some people choose to ignore, overlook and even justify why they do not dutifully bag their dog’s doo-doo on walks. Well, pet poop perpetrators, your days are numbered. In what seems to be a spinoff of those popular CSI TV shows in which forensic investigators nab the bad guy (or gal) thanks to DNA evidence, multi-dwelling developments are also fighting back against those who refuse to bend down and pick up their dog’s “deposits” on walks.
Permit me to introduce you to Jim Simpson. He is president of Bio Pet Vet Labs in Knoxville, Tenn. Until recently, his lab gathered blood work for veterinary clinics and confirmed DNA on dogs for professional breeders. But because of the growing incidents of people’s refusing to scoop the poop, his company has unleashed a thriving new division — called PooPrints (www.pooprints.com) — and established an international dog poop DNA database.
Since every dog has his own unique DNA, here’s the new scoop on poop: Rules enforcers can now match the feces with the right Fido.
You can’t argue with doggy DNA. That’s good news for pet-welcoming condo and apartment property managers who have been waging a losing battle with poop piling up on lawns, sidewalks and even inside elevators.
A pioneer in this poop war is Debbie Logan, property manager at Twin Ponds in Nashua, N.H. A lifelong pet lover who brings her dog, Saphia, to work, Logan spent a year searching for an affordable strategy to nab poop violators at her complex that features 330 units and 250 dogs ranging from chihuahuas to Great Danes.
“We are one of the few places that do not have a breed restriction or a weight limit on dogs and we don’t require a pet deposit,” says Logan. “But in the past couple of years, the poop on our property has been piling up. It was becoming a health hazard.”
A medium-sized dog compiles up to 276 pounds of poop per year, according to Simpson. Logan estimated about 5 percent of her residents with dogs were habitual violators. That equals more than 3,300 pounds of unclaimed poop in one year.
In addition, poop left lingering packs a health risk. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dog poop can easily become infected with parasites (such as hookworms, ringworms, tape worms and salmonella), causing serious kidney disorders, intestinal illness, cramps and diarrhea in people who come in contact with it.
So, her association revised its rules for residents, requiring dog owners to pay a one-time $50 fee to cover the cost of having their dogs’ DNA on file. Surprisingly, only two residents “barked” in protest, but the overwhelming majority applauded the rule.
According to Logan, she has had to contend with only two repeat offenders who tried to blame their children who failed to bag the doo-doo on pet walks. Each paid $100 fines per offense.
“Our place is now clean and our residents are happy,” proclaims Logan. “We enjoy 100-percent occupancy and even have a waiting list. It’s a shame we had to resort to this, but we had no other choice.”
Matthew Brickman, president of the Village of Abacoa Condo Association in Jupiter, heard about Logan’s success in curbing the poop problem. Starting in August, all residents with dogs at this 450-unit development must pay a one-time fee of $200 to cover the cost of having their dogs’ DNA analyzed and on file. Come Sept. 1, violators of this policy will be subjected to fines of $100 a day up to $1,000.
Brickman, who works as a professional court mediator, said his condo board was running out of viable options.
“We were spending $15,000 to $18,000 a year cleaning up dog messes on our sidewalks, lawns and even in hallways, inside elevators and stairwells,” he said. “We considered banning all pets or spending $1 million on surveillance cameras, but then we heard about this doggy DNA program.”
Brickman is bracing for a vocal protest, but believes the new policy will keep homeowners’ dues from rising and will stave off a viable health threat to residents.
“We’re not condo dictators. We don’t want to have to make these types of rules,” he said. “But when you don’t be responsible for your actions, we do have to step in.”
In this case, I guess it is far better to step in and take action, than to step in it and be forced to rid your shoes of the mess and smell. Your thoughts? Share them with me by emailing Arden@fourleggedlife.com.
Arden Moore, Founder of Four Legged Life.com, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author, professional speaker and certified pet first aid instructor. She shares her home with two dogs, two cats and one overworked vacuum cleaner. Tune in to her Oh Behave! show on PetLifeRadio.com and learn more by visiting www.fourleggedlife.com.
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