I don't think this is excessive but I also don't think it will work.

The root of the problem is irresponsible humans, not dogs. Humans need to get the message loud and clear that this is not acceptable. That being said, something drastic needs to be done by HOA so everyone gets the message.

The one thing that I can think of is to not allow dogs to be walked in the community or not allow dogs at all and implement fines to those who do not comply.

There is some precedent on cases that have been filed and heard in court regarding pets - even if a HOA succeeds in banning them they will likely not be able to force those who are already living there out of their homes. And so, these ‘grandfathered in” dogs will remain for the foreseeable future, thus pooing in the common areas during that time. It also raises the issue of new residents who move in and because they see others with dogs they don’t understand or accept that they cannot have dogs too.

That is a brilliant idea and I think the HOA should charge dog owners an extra fee to pay for it. It is sad that these people are so irresponsible and deliberately causing this problem. Great solution!!

Thanks for your input. Unfortunately banning dogs from the community is definitely not an option and keeping them out of the green spaces isn’t really an option either. I don’t think it’s fair to the dogs. Since our houses are basically built on top of each other the yards are pretty small.

I was doing some more research and most HOAs/Condo Boards that use this service charge the owners directly. I believe the registration and initial swab costs $55. Each sample that is sent in costs $65 and if there’s a match, the offending owner would be charged the fee plus a fine to make sure they keep picking up after their dog. Sure, it’s inconvenient for the HOA to implement this program but it’s inconvenient for me to be constantly stepping over dog waste when I walk my dog.

They can pay for the privilege of having dogs continue to be welcome living in the HOA by way of a fee (probably one that applies to all, even if they don’t have a dog, that can run into problems depending on jurisdiction) for cleanup services.

Has the HOA communicated the problem to all homeowners in writing (not in the newsletter or email) but a separate communication on colored paper) sternly outlining the reasons why dog waste has to be picked up (as if people don’t know)? There could be mention of a fine, even though it’s difficult to catch offenders. Provide a roll of dog pickup bags to each dog owner. Or is the issue just talk at community meetings?

I’ve seen bag dispensers at various dog walking places, and that could be done. You need to put trash cans around the community too.

The dna plan would be costly, very annoying to people who do pick up after their dogs. Don’t people from outside the community walk their dogs there?

Once dogs are registered by dna sample wouldn’t the HOA still have to collect waste that is found and submit for testing? I don’t know if many will want to do that task and what if you have residents with dogs who refuse to submit the reference sample to begin with? A legal fight to compel action and participation will mean that everyone has to pay the special assessment for the HOA lawyer and any legal settlement and fees that result from a lawsuit .

Not to mention the owner that gets a bill for $65 for the analysis.

Hire a local firm to cleanup, post signs, provide poo bags near the signs, collect a sort of "Dog Deposit" in the form of an assessment to pay for the cleanup people. Add Motion sensor cameras.

From what I have read, the poop problem decreases a lot with the service so I would definitely bring it to the meeting and let them figure it out. The idea of an assessment on dog owners to pay for a service/bag stations may work as well although people will try to hide their dog ownership and it punishes all dog owners and not just the offenders.

There is nothing more annoying than people who don't pick up after their dog (I have a dog as well and even if I run out of bags from unexpected diarrhea or something, I drive and pick up the poop when I get back).

I live across the street from an over 55 neighborhood of a few hundred townhouses and another gated community next to me so people feel like the 20 feet of grass in front of the block long fences are free to leave poop in without consequence since no one owns it. It is disgusting, unsanitary and not fair to the landscapers either. I wish these neighborhoods would do DNA poop analysis/fining although they wouldn't enforce outside the fence lines so it wouldn't help at all.

One more thing—Run off from dog poop and the bacteria and contains is hazardous to waterways and the people who swim there, rivers, streams, lakes, and the ocean.

That's why here in MD we require deer, rabbits, fox, coyote, and squirrels to wear diapers

Investigation as to how to handle snakes and turtles continues.

And don't even get me started about fish.

Our neighborhood has plastic bag dispensers and trash cans on every block. Since those were installed, there are very few dog poops about. Only coyote poop.

Lol, @saltidawg, now I’m picturing wildlife wearing diapers and sending in letters to local government and news outlets demanding equal treatment be extended to snakes and turtles.

And you know the !@#$% fish in the local reservoir fight us tooth and nail.

The next item to be tackled, I'm told, is the requirement for hunters to have Port a Potties beneath their tree hunting blinds, (Biodegradable toilet tissue, of course.)

I hope this doesn't go the way it went when those religious peeps complained about our horse requirements in the name of Anti-pollution.

Horse Diaper Rights

Oh heck no! This is such an infringement that I don't know what to say, even....

Provide cans, bags, and peer pressure. It works in the neigborhood next to ours.

What works in our community is our active Facebook page. When someone sees an offending pet running free or leaving its waste, it doesn't take but a few minutes for someone to post something like; "brown pit bull running free animal contoll will be called if not contained immediately" or "to the grey hair man, wearing the red sweater- why didn't you pick up the poo your yorkie left on the side of Main St, the 200 block at 9:06 am today?"

seriously, it works.

Love that, maddielee !

Salti, Thanks for the chuckle, that made my day !!!!!

I don't care for public humiliation. I find that simply stepping outside and doing a stare-down (and a cheery "did you forget your bag? I have one"---of course keeping bags RIGHT THERE, because turn your back and people are gone) is kinder.

After all, I prefer to live partially in the fantasy that they DID forget the bag. :)

I actually did that with young woman and a dog last summer. I went and got her a bag and she cleaned it up.

I offered to dispose of the bag for her, and gave her an additional bag for a subsequent cleanup, if required.

I did not believe her, "Oh, I forgot a bag today." for even one second.