DNA samples will determine if Jupiter residents aren't picking up behind their pooches

[Sharon & Monty]

I've copied an interesting article.  What do you think, is this fair?  

 

 

 

By Bill DiPaolo

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 6:34 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Posted: 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2011

 

JUPITER — If your pooch poops, you pay.

Plagued with pets that do business in all the wrong places, dog owners in the Village of Abacoa, a condominium association of 458 units, must pay a $200 fee starting Aug. 1. The money will pay DNA Pet World Registry to take the dog's genetic fingerprint and keep the information on file.

Doggie droppings found in condo common areas will be collected and mailed in a plastic tube to the Knoxville, Tenn.-based company. If the poop matches the pooch, the owners can be fined up to $1,000. If they don't pay, a lien can be placed on their home, said Susan Nellen, property manager for Versa Property Management, which manages the condo near Roger Dean Stadium.

Not everyone supports the policy.

"This is nuts. They will be testing all kinds of poop. Is this America?" said Troy Holloway, who owns one of the condos.

But managers say they have no choice. Dogs are defecating and urinating in elevators, in stairwells, on carpets and in the lobby, as well as common areas outside. The condo association is spending $10,000 to $12,000 a year replacing and cleaning, said Matthew Brickman, president of the Village of Abacoa Condominium Association.

"The smell is disgusting. Residents are embarrassed to have company. Dog crap is everywhere," Nellen said.

The process works like this:

Beginning Aug. 1 and until Aug. 31, a dog owner must pay a $200 one-time fee for a swab to be taken from their dog's mouth. DNA Pet World Registry uses the swab to determine the dog's DNA sample. The dog is issued a identification tag to wear on its collar. Owners who pay after Aug. 31 will be charged $500.

A maintenance person from Versa Management will collect marble-sized samples found in restricted areas. The samples go in a leakproof plastic container about the size of a small perfume bottle containing DNA stabilization solution. The container is mailed to DNA Pet World, where the identification test is done.

If the illegal poop matches a registered dog, the owner can be fined. If the problem persists, the animal can be confiscated, Brickman said.

"It's not the dog's fault. Many are trapped inside all day while their owners work. That's why I don't have a dog," said Brickman, who lives in the condo.

He figures about 40 percent of residents own dogs.

The usual charge for signing up and testing a dog is about $90. That includes the swab, the container and the DNA matchup, said Eric Mayer, director of franchise development for PooPrints, a Knoxville-based company that works with DNA World Pet Registry.

The $200 to $500 per pet owner will defray cleanup costs and pay for doggie bags distributed free in the condo, Brickman said.

Feces identification is a booming business. DNA Pet World and PooPrints - its motto is "Match the Mess through DNA" - are spinoffs from BioPet Vet Labs. They started in October. By the end of the year, they expect 300 American franchises, Mayer said.

The process only works for feces. There is not enough DNA in urine to make a match, Mayer said.

Despite the high cost, the penalty might not prevent the problem, Holloway said.

And the expense will be a hit on residents on a tight budget. Holloway's tenant owns a teacup breed dog that weighs about 2 pounds.

"That's $250 a pound. That's an expensive dog," Holloway said

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Very interesting.  I can see how some people can get disgusted by dog poop everywhere & it can be unhealthy...But this seems extreme to me.  I sure hope it doesn't cause people to get rid of their dogs for fear of punishment OR discourage residents from even getting dogs in the first place. I don't have a better answer, though really.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This is a sad testimonial to the irresponsibility of some dog owners. :(

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

haha! This is extreme but some of my neighbours could use this! I always pick up after Parker because I don't want to end up stepping in his poop again later anyway! Yet a lot of other people think it's okay to just leave it and make the grassy common areas dirty for everyone else! Even people at the dog park ruin it for everyone else by leaving their dog's piles where other dogs are playing!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am not sure about all this, but I am so tired of people who do not pick up after their dogs. Maybe this will scare them to start cleaning up.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Is this fair?  Where is the fairness in stepping in someone elses dogs poop? Where is the fairness of having to smell what must be a horrible stench in the halls, elevators and stairwells if you live in this condo?

What's not fair is the responsible dog owners that do pick up after thier dogs having to pay this as well. But I would think the $$ would be worth it if I was one of those responsible owners and saw such horrific lack of consideration all around me. I would also be a little resentful as well. But it does look like it could solve an obviously nasty and unhealthy problem. This is sad because Abacoa is really a lovely development, or it was last time I was there.

[Lindsey]

Ha! I don't know where I stand exactly on this...on one hand, paying $200 for your dogs DNA swab- if you're already one of the responsible dog owners tha picks up after their dog- would be annoying!!
However, I HATE it when I catch people letting their dog poop in my yard and then not pick it up!!
I have two...well, right now I have three dogs that live in my house and poop in my yard. I know it stinks (no pun intended) to bend over and pick up dog mess...but I'd rather do that then step in it later!
So...maybe this IS a good idea, at least it will keep residents on their toes!
Also...yes this IS America, so if they have a problem with it...then they are FREE to move ;-)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Pretty extreme but good for them. I do also feel sorry for the good ones that live there. We go on walks through our neighborhood and find it on the sidewalk! How many dogs go on the sidewalk?? (#2) I felt like making flyers and having a neighborhood poop watch to find out who is doing it.Then there's ours that go curbside and we instantly pick it up but I'm sure some people might think it's our dogs and us doing this- also SO gross at the park (not dog park-park where kids play) they walk them around the park and leave it there and go home! SO I hope what they are doing pays off, it would be sad for a dog be taken away because it's owner doesn't care enough to pick up after it!