Condo association to DNA test dog poo found on grounds

Signage of NO DOGS ALLOWED, should do it.

So let's get this right. The condo association is spending $10,000.-$12,000. per year replacing and cleaning. I would tend to assume that regular cleaning of carpets, maybe twice per year, is already covered under annual maintenance costs and within present condo fees. And now they want to hike condo fees by $200. Even if the hike is an annual one, $200. x 458 owners = approx $92,000. Where is the extra $80K going ??? Still cheaper just to replace and clean. Condo board is probably filled with animal haters. Change the condo directors at the next AGM.

@ now heard everything... Will signage of "NO IDIOTS ALLOWED" keep you from commenting ?

Unless that animal has hemeroids, this is not going to happen. You cannot gather DNA from feces, sorry.

@ Chris B. Everything has DNA in it, saliva, pee, hair, vomit, nail clippings and POO. If it came from the body, whether dog or human, it has DNA. This is not the first time someone is using this. There's a company called Poo Print that makes DNA kits for this purpose. Place in New Hampshire has been doing it for awhile, among other places. Don't get caught or you're in deep doggie doo doo!!!

Good - When did people start thinking it was OK to have their pets pee and poo everywhere anyway - you can't pick-up pee, and you can't always clean up poo (unless it is on a hard surface of course) - I grew up with dogs.... I like dogs... but we had a run with a gravel section and we trained the dog to go there - and it did - always....

It drives me nuts that people think it is OK for their animals to crap on my lawn - It is MY darn lawn - i paid for it and I take care of it - it is NOT public property... it is MY property - If I want to walk on MY lawn in bare feet I should NOT have to worry about everyone elses animal droppings.

If condos allow pets, they should have an area for them to go and use - AND the owners OF said pets should clean it all up

In this case I'd hit the pet owners for the $$$$ - they want pets - they pay -

I don't know where people get off thinking that they have MORE rights than others the second they get an animal or a child - They are all YOUR responsibility if they are yours - I look after mine... Can't you???

why not save some cash and have cameras installed instead..easy to find the dog and owner that way...come on people, this is seriously out of control and a huge waste of money (stupid people for sure)

@SSampson: I fully agree. As a pet owner myself, I find it reprehensible that people assume that because they own a small or large animal (usually its the two extremes of size where I live that do it) that they are exempt from the need to pick up its poop because its either too small to bother with or too big to pick up (its too much like a human defecation and freaks them out). I have confronted a few people over it and a lot of the time the person is adamant that its not their responsibility to pick up the feces on my lawn/driveway.

I videotaped one person doing it repeatedly and actually involved the police in the situation as they were doing it repeatedly and in my view malicously as they would bring the dog to my front yard first on the street. I dont agree with getting police involved, but it was a situation I had no choice in and it did resolve the issue; so did the $2500 fine thanks to the video of them.

So to all pet owners out there, clean the mess up or you could run into someone like myself. A happy pet owner not afraid to make someone else pay for not doing what they are legally required to do.

As an apartment building superintendent, I think that this is fantastic and applaud the condo association for taking steps to protect their property and hold culprits responsible. There are far too many dog owners who do not take responsibility for cleaning up after their pets. People do not want to be unpleasantly surprised by doggie "bombs" or puddles on the floor or grounds, and should not have to watch where they put their feet because someone else is too lazy/irresponsible to pick up after their pet (which is law in most areas anyways). Accidents happen, but there's no good reason that an owner can't clean up their own pet's accident. Like Avendarian, we have confronted people who feel that it's our responsibility to clean up the mess because they have let their pet make it on our property. Um...??? It's unfortunate that sometimes it takes legal action to make someone behave appropriately, but if people didn't behave this way then others wouldn't be forced to take action to protect their property.

Arnt they lucky that those people dont have elephants for pets?

It is EVERY pet owner's responsibility to take care of their pet. This includes cleaning up it's waste. If you had a cat, you wouldn't just dump it's litter box in the lobby of your building would you? If you had a child you wouldn't leave dirty diapers in the elevator! I think the idea is very smart, and as far as the condo board being filled with "animal haters" as one person so eloquently put it: I wouldn't let my pet shit all over someone else's lawn or go without picking it up; if you think this normal and acceptable behavior, you are mistaken and do not deserve to have pets.

How much DNA is there in dog shit?

This is just an easy money grab by the condo association and for what ultimate purpose, only they know ? As Pengu stated, the clean up costs are 10-12K, yet at $200. per uit, the higher condo fees would total approx. $92K. What's the extra 80K for ? Very simple solution. Assuming the condo association has by-laws, they can require every pet owner to register themselves as having 1-2 dogs etc.Then they can pass a resolution that any additional cleaning fees associated with pet defecation will be charged ONLY to the dog owners (as a group). That will cause peer pressure or peer review by the pet owners and will result in these owners picking up after their pets and neighborhood watching those that don't.

I totally agree with Chip's idea - register your pet(s) with the condo board & charge pet owners only the additional fees. I'm a pet owner, and my hubby & I are avid RV'ers. I get soooo frustrated with dog walkers in RV parks that refuse to clean up after their pets! I always carry "pooh bags" with me (got 'em in every jacket pocket!), and when my little dog does her thing, I immediately clean it up & dispose of it in the nearest trash can.

While not pleasant some days, it's a responsibility I don't take lightly as a pet owner! Come on, people! It's not rocket science... how do YOU like stepping in doggie deposits & tracking that mess through your house / condo / office / RV? It's much easier to handle that OUTSIDE than to try to clean it up after it's ground into a carpet!

I don't agree that the condo board should ding the folks that don't own pets. Place the onus & the cost on the people that have the animals. Let the pet owners police their own! If I had an additional cost placed on ME because of other people's irresponsibility, I'd be hyper vigilant - the transgressor(s) would be found & busted!

I agree with the last few posts. Here is a similar example. My parents live in an apartment building. The cost of energy has risen drastically in the past year. Most rents increased by about 2% but still does not cover the higher cost of energy that is included in the monthly rent.

The owners have decided to charge an extra $50 for any apartment dwellers that installs an air conditioner unit in their apartment. So that's $50 for about 3 months use. Can you guess from whom the complaints came from? So instead of dividing the cost equally, the onus is on those who feel the AC unit is necessary. I know that some of you will say "well, maybe someone that doesn't have an AC unit can still use more enegery than someone with it". Get a life would you. You get the point about responsibility and accountability.

The article is about people being threatened with liens on their homes and all you people can come up with is dog poop.