guest blog by Nila Ridings
Things are heating up in Jacksonville, Florida! The orders have been issued: Pay $35 per dog to DNA test your pooches‘ poop or pay a $100 per day penalty and lose your rights to the amenities. The max is $1,000 in fines, but the board is lawyering-up so they’ll be adding lots of zeros to that number.
When was the last time you heard of an HOA or condo complex that wasn’t having a dog poop fight?
This subject is a “hot button” for me. Why? Not only is it unsightly, but the run–off is bad for the ecosystem when it rains and washes the fecal matter into the waterways. (see the link below). And there is no excuse for it!
I wonder? Would these same people who don’t pick-up after their dogs like it if they saw dirty baby diapers or a fully-loaded adult diaper lying out at the curb? No! They would be the first to raise hell! Just a few days ago, I walked across the grass only to realize the gut-wrenching smell in my truck was emanating from the soles of my brand new shoes, floor mat, garage floor, and left me with a nasty clean-up job. For a woman who owns no pets (but loves them) it really irked me.
For the eight years I’ve lived in an HOA, dog poop has been a massive problem. With no size restrictions, let me assure you some of these dogs could be fitted for a saddle. And their “monster muffins” could fill a five gallon bucket!
DNA testing won’t solve the problem. Those who leave it lying around will figure out a way to contaminate the evidence. Just like these folks in Villa Medici who are already plotting to haul it in from fields afar.
From my observation the dogs in HOAs are getting along better with each other than we humans do. Maybe…I should build one of those “Tiny Houses” on wheels and go live down at the dog pound?
Now, there’s an idea!
I’m sure the HOA lawyers are welcoming the pending lawsuit to block the DNA testing. In the end the homeowners will pay the legal costs. The pending lawsuit may be a bigger mess than the “Meadow-Muffins.” Has this HOA ever thought about cameras at their pet stations?