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Pet Waste Enforcement

Started by MichelleH6 • 34 replies • 6600 views

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MichelleH6 (Georgia)
Posts: 1
Posted:
I am a board member of a 400+ townhome/cluster home community. We have common areas and small yards which the community assocation fees maintain. We have been having a problem w/ people not cleaning up after their dogs. We have at least 5-6 pet waste stations with baggies throughout the community. Unfortunately people still dont clean up. Have other communities been successful in controlling this problem? If so, how? We recently sent out a memo telling resdients there will be a $35 fine for the 1st violation and, $50 for 2nd, $75 for 3rd, $100 for 4th. Of course, this is essentially impossible to enforce unless we have people who can tell us who the people are and where they live that are violating. As to be expected, we got a nasty letter from a resident telling us how she works 5 days a wk (so do I...) and can't be monitoring who is pooping on her lawn. Frankly, I'm so sick of the issue and residents thinking just b/c we are on the board we can somehow solve age old problems like these.

Any suggestions on what has worked at your community?
AlexL1 (Florida)
Posts: 305
Posted:
OHHHHHH Michelle: If you get a good solution, you can sell it for a lot of money. In all of the communities, there are a few characters who do not give a darned about the rest and if you correct them(on the spot), they are very offensive. Unfortunately, if you send them a letter, one has to name the person who is the eye witness and no one wants to do that for fear of action being taken against them in the form of vandalism, etc. Doggie waste stations, for the most part, do not work because of idiots (yes, irresponsible idiots) who refuse to be told what to do. I have found no solution so far.
KarenS11 (Florida)
Posts: 148
Posted:
I am getting a price to hire a poop scooper. Two of the worst offenders that we have are board members, so maybe if they have a price tag attached to their selfishness.......

I also recently made up this sign and put it near the small trash can we have set up in our park.

HaroldS (Arizona)
Posts: 906
Posted:
"Two of the worst offenders that we have are board members.." Since you said ARE and not alleged I assume you have proof. Why are they not being fined?
LindaC10 (Colorado)
Posts: 12
Posted:
Michelle! Forget poop police, DNA testing and countless meetings with POOP as the topic!!! Hire a poop scooper! The best thing we ever did! We divided the cost between those residents with dogs. Certainly there are owners who diligently pick up after their dog, but seperating the good from the bad will make you crazy! Our good picker-uppers understood the decision and the bad ones complained but oh well! We had the dog people form a committee and find the most reasonable scooper company and implimented the plan. It didn't make the issue go away but I think it's as close as you can get! Good luck!
KarenS11 (Florida)
Posts: 148
Posted:
Harold-

We don't have the authority to fine. All we can do is send letters and then get an attorney.

And the park is across the street- I see them every day. So do others- I just had someone catch me on the street today and complain about our treasurer.

I am thinking of doing a photo montage of the poop in the park- about forty shots of all sizes and shapes and make up a flyer-"Missing something?" And then something like- "It has come to our attention that you have been leaving this behind...." Or maybe do it as a full-page in our newsletter.

What else could we include in the flyer? Make it a little funny, but use peer pressure. Have the management company send it, then follow up with an official letter. Since the minutes show who has received compliance letters, it might work on some. Even though they do not use the names, they recipients are idenified by number and any residnets can get the names.
KarenS11 (Florida)
Posts: 148
Posted:
Linda-

How did you get the residents to approve it? Were the dog owners outnumbered? How is it assessed? This sounds like a great idea. Right now my son and I are the ones emptying the poop can in the park each week. I would gladly pay.
HaroldS (Arizona)
Posts: 906
Posted:
LOL Karen! I guess it is necessary to have a sense of humor over this impossible subject. As Alex suggested, if it works, patent it.
LindaC10 (Colorado)
Posts: 12
Posted:
Karen, The Board approved the decision. Individual owners participated in the discussion but the Board made the decision, after listening to endless bickering at every Board meeting. Non-dog owners did out number the dog owners. I think everyone was anxious for a solution! The poop scoopers billed the association. We paid them, then we billed the individual owners.
DeniseC1 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 25
Posted:
I was recently on the receiving end of a letter from my HOA stating that I didn't clean up after my dog. I know the incident because my dog was constipated that day and she was repeatedly stopping and squatting and not pooping. I always clean up the poop. I carry a fanny pack with doggie bags. My response was that the persons who alledgely observed this violation misconstrued the incident; they didn't see poop coming out of my dog's rear, and I hope they have video, so I appealed it. Unless you're willing to patrol your neighborhood with a camcorder and think you may be fighting a hopeless cause. The proof is in the poop.
KarenS11 (Florida)
Posts: 148
Posted:
Denise-

Funny that you posted this because it was discussed at our meeting last night. Two of us on the board have old dogs, so sometimes the intent is there, but it's just not happening.

A resident addressed the board about the problem last night and the board voted to have the PM send a letter to residents encouraging them to report offenders.

A suggestion was made to also put out two more doggie stations, as the one we put up a year ago is right in the middle of our neighborhood (one long street and two cul-de-sacs)and is now used so much that it is overflowing before garbage day. They would be at either entrance, tucked away, but visible to those walking their dogs. The resident even offered to move one of them curbside on garbage day, but the board voted for just the letter.

MikeS1
Posts: 668
Posted:
Michelle - We're not paying $700 about every 7-8 months for poop bags and then of course, there's the maintenance cost of the various poop dispensers. Can you tell me approx what it cost for you all to have a vendor sweep the area and pickup the nuggets? How often do they come by? .. and how large of an area are we talking about?
MikeS1
Posts: 668
Posted:
Meant to say that we are NOW paying $700...
KarenS11 (Florida)
Posts: 148
Posted:
Mike-

That's a lot of bags!

We have a dispenser that holds plastic grocery bags and everyone has been pretty good about filling it up when they see it getting low. The downside is that the bags take up more space in the can, but the bags are free.
MikeS1
Posts: 668
Posted:
Linda - Meant to previously direct this to you. How much does the service cost? How often do they come by? and how large of an area is being maintained?
JosephM6 (Florida)
Posts: 2
Posted:
If any of the Board Members here have any sample letters that were written to their residents, please post them here, I would greatly appreciate it. We just took over in our gated community 164 patio homes and we have heard this complaint day in and day out from the residents.

A caveat is we also have residents complaining about loose cats. I know there is nothing in the Florida statutes that prevent cats from doing their business on every lawn they like.

What is one to do....?
BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DeniseC1 on 04/23/2008 6:21 AM
I was recently on the receiving end of a letter from my HOA stating that I didn't clean up after my dog. I know the incident because my dog was constipated that day and she was repeatedly stopping and squatting and not pooping. I always clean up the poop. I carry a fanny pack with doggie bags. My response was that the persons who alledgely observed this violation misconstrued the incident; they didn't see poop coming out of my dog's rear, and I hope they have video, so I appealed it. Unless you're willing to patrol your neighborhood with a camcorder and think you may be fighting a hopeless cause. The proof is in the poop.

Just take a baggie, bend over, and pretend to pick up the poop that isn't there. Then, no one can get the wrong idea that you didn't clean up. I know, it sounds silly and unnecessary, but it's a simple way to prevent false accusations.
AlexL1 (Florida)
Posts: 305
Posted:
Seriously... what did you name the committee and was it effective? It is a serious problem... caused by ONLY A FEW inconsiderate idiots. We are considering hiring a pooper company and increasing the HOA dues by $15 a month
CharlesW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 826
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DeniseC1 on 04/23/2008 6:21 AM
I was recently on the receiving end of a letter from my HOA stating that I didn't clean up after my dog. I know the incident because my dog was constipated that day and she was repeatedly stopping and squatting and not pooping. I always clean up the poop. I carry a fanny pack with doggie bags. My response was that the persons who alledgely observed this violation misconstrued the incident; they didn't see poop coming out of my dog's rear, and I hope they have video, so I appealed it. Unless you're willing to patrol your neighborhood with a camcorder and think you may be fighting a hopeless cause. The proof is in the poop.

DeniseC1,

I have been a board member for the past two (2) years and HAVE ALWAYS SAID TOO RESIDENTS WHO RECEIVE A VIOLATION LETTER OR “NASTY GRAM” OR WHAT HAVE YOU. “It’s just a notice, correct the observed violation and be done with it” If you’re being fined (falsely), then that is an entirely different situation that would need immediate attention.

I’m surprised to have read such a post. Obviously you know that they falsely accused you for a violation that NEVER took place. If they haven’t fined (which they shouldn’t) you and don’t have proof of the violation, they have NOTHING!

REMEMBER ITS A HARMLESS NOTICE (false accusation-in your case) SIMPLE NOTIFICATION TO THE BOD, REGARDING THE OBSERVED VIOLATION AND IT WILL LIKELY RESOLVED THE VIOLATION FROM ESCALADING INTO ANY LEGAL EXPENSES.

Chuck W.
Charles E. Wafer Jr.
TodW (Florida)
Posts: 5
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MikeS1 on 04/23/2008 7:10 AM
Michelle - We're not paying $700 about every 7-8 months for poop bags and then of course, there's the maintenance cost of the various poop dispensers. Can you tell me approx what it cost for you all to have a vendor sweep the area and pickup the nuggets? How often do they come by? .. and how large of an area are we talking about?

700 every 7-8 months on bags,ok : how many units? (We are looking for a new supplier in bags but we may have more "poop dispensers" than you, well to be honest we have MANY, but the owners wear diapers, badabapa!)

KarenS11 (Florida)
Posts: 148
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TodW on 07/15/2008 4:50 PM
Posted By MikeS1 on 04/23/2008 7:10 AM
Michelle - We're not paying $700 about every 7-8 months for poop bags and then of course, there's the maintenance cost of the various poop dispensers. Can you tell me approx what it cost for you all to have a vendor sweep the area and pickup the nuggets? How often do they come by? .. and how large of an area are we talking about?


700 every 7-8 months on bags,ok : how many units? (We are looking for a new supplier in bags but we may have more "poop dispensers" than you, well to be honest we have MANY, but the owners wear diapers, badabapa!)


Todd-

Welcome to HOA talk! We have many "poop dispensers" also! And a number of the owners of these "dispensers" just don't get it that poop is not something to leave behind. How do you get the message across to these folks?
EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148
Posted:
One solution may be to bag the stuff and if you have seen the culprit just deposit it on their doorstep. If it happens often enough they will get the message. Actually duymping it out of the bag on their property will work even better.
AlexL1 (Florida)
Posts: 305
Posted:
Actually, there is no solution. We/YOu are dealing with an ignorant, incompetent, and irresponsisble bunch who care ONLY about themselves. The best way as was stated, is to bag it up and dump it on their door sill. It is doubtful, even then, that they would understand as most are too ignorant and just plain dumb
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Alex,

Maybe if you light a match to it b/4 you ring the doorbell it will get their attention? Seeing them stomp out the fire is also good for a laugh! LOL
EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148
Posted:
Another option would be to collect it for awhile and then FedEx it to the offender. But could this be done without a return address? I don't think so. And using the US mail might be a federal offense. But just imagine the look on their face as they excitedly open the package wondering what it is..sort of like chickens coming home to roost.
EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148
Posted:
MaryA1,

I wouldn't ring the doorbell. The whole idea is to have them go outside their front door and step in it like their neighbors have to.
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Ellen,

The reason for ringing the doorbell is so they come out while it's still burning (you put it in a paper bag). They stomp on the bag to put out the fire and find their feet in a pile of S***!!! My husband and his friends would do this on Halloween when they were kids. Hilarious! LOL
EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148
Posted:
This may work but I hope you are a fast runner or you may find a "gift" on your doorstep.
MaureenB2 (Ohio)
Posts: 4
Posted:
It a diffucult situation however, maybe the (HOA) can charge for POOP clean up like they charge for cutting neglected lawns. Clean up the POOP and charge it to the residents through the budget when they see this expense on the buget they will clean up to reduce the cost. Just a thought!!!!
RyanK (Minnesota)
Posts: 4
Posted:
As a lawn care vendor, we used to simply skip yards with poop and wait for the phone call... usually made after the poop is picked up. Our crews note the number of droppings right on their work order. We will deal with 2-3, but more than that is very excessive. This stuff gets on the tires of our mowers, the mowers are secured to the trailer with straps over the tires, and in the end several employees including our mechanic are at a health risk.

Some managers say we take this too seriously. We have changed our policy to just pick it up and bill $30.00 for it. Good Ol' capitalism at work. The Manager simply bills the resident, making us the bad guy... but it is working and no one calls about unsightly skipped lawns. My thoughts on the pooper scooper service are that if their is only a small financial deterrant, they will leave it lay for the service to handle.
BruceD1 (Georgia)
Posts: 59
Posted:
I have a simple solution. I trained dogs to pick-up after himself. It is very simple and it WORKS from day 1. All you have to do is poor bacon grease on the dog’s droppings. The next time the dog or any dog enters your yard they will pick it right up. Problem solved.
DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664
Posted:
And then the dog comes and gives you a big thank-you by licking your face.
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
Note to self:

Do not open and read this thread around dinner time.

0.0

EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148
Posted:
Alext.1,

I see no reason to charge all for the actions of a few. For myself any time I witness an owner leaving the stuff I intend to bag it and drop it at the offender's door. We just had an owner tonight who has three dogs (our limit is supposed to be two, which is not enforced). She made a big deal of shaking out a plastic bag to show she was complying with our rules when she had her dog at the park but left the "good stuff" and empty bag laying on the ground. She didn't even have enough sense to leave the empty bag in the garbage can provided for dog waste. Tommorow morning she will get poop mail and will anytime I see this again. I'm an animal lover so excuse the expression but "there is more than one way to skin a cat."
GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
We had a woman who would walk her dog past our house on the way to the store. Invariably the dog would do its business in our yard which she would not clean up. So one day when she passed by on her way my father started to follow her. He maintained a respectful distance and would stop and wait whenever she or the dog stopped. Finally she asked him why he was following her. His reply: "I want to see where you live so I can bring my dog down to sh** in your yard." From then on she crossed to the other side of the street to pass our house.
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