Pets and HOA

Why oh why do my neighbors let their dogs poop in my yard?

Aside from being a bother, dog waste that hasn't been cleaned up is a major problem for our association. If you find yourself with the urge to leave your dog's mess in the yard, please keep the following in mind:

1. The Environmental Protection Agency is intensifying its enforcement of the Clean Water Act, so our association could be made to pay a penalty if dog waste is not cleaned up.

2. Uncollected dog waste may also subject us to a special assessment. If the EPA levies a fine against us, the association might also be hit with a special assessment that would have to be paid for by all association members, not just those who have dogs.

3. The way our common areas look and how well they are kept have a direct effect on home sales — not only if they sell and for how much, but also how long they remain on the market!

4. Increased dog waste complaints from residents force the manager to devote more time to enforcement, leaving less to serve the association.

5. Uncollected dog waste spreads illnesses and lures rodents that consume it.