Community Corner

Leashing in Dog Owners...Who Don't Scoop the Poop

By Patch editor Mary Ann Barton 

Does this ever happen in your neighborhood? 

A Northern Virginia Home Owners Association (HOA) in Arlington recently decided to take on the issue of dog owners who don't clean up after their pets. 

Here's what an HOA president had to say about cleaning up after your pets, courtesy of Deadspin.

To all Westwind residents:

This afternoon, I encountered a dog poop on the sidewalk right in front of the mailbox on the east side of Westwind parking area. The poop was still there at 9 pm. Whoever left his/her dog’s poop there has clearly violated Arlington County Bylaws and Westwind Rules and Regulations. He/she also failed to show minimal respect to his/her neighbors.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time this happens. I did not take a sample of this excrement since we do not yet have DNA samples of all dogs in Westwind. However, I will be proposing in the next Board meeting (July 31), a new rule that would require all dog owners to register their dogs’ DNA so that poops can be positively identified. This practice has now been adopted across the country by many homeowners’ associations who are tired of sending warnings to their residents with no effect.

Find out what's happening in Lortonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition, the safety surveillance cameras I and other Westwind residents are planning to install on their front and back doors will help identify the offending dog owners.

[Redacted]
President
WHOA

Find out what's happening in Lortonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wondering what the rules are in Chantilly? Here's the scoop on poop, straight from Fairfax County:

"Dog walkers are out in the morning before the workday begins and again in the evening. Most have something in common. They carry a bag, usually a grocery bag or the long plastic sleeve in which newspapers are delivered. These conscientious pet owners take their waste-filled bags and put them in their household trash or flush the contents in the toilet.

What about the not-so-conscientious pet owners? The Center for Watershed Protection refers to them as “bad dog walkers” and claims their numbers are 16 million in the United States.

Pet owners who violate the County’s pooper scooper law may incur a fine up to $250. Unfortunately, since 1999 not one summons was issued for such violations. That means the only deterrents to leaving pet waste on the ground may be our individual conscience and societal mores.

Pet waste left on the grass or in the woods makes its way to storm drains every time it rains. Storm drains lead to lakes or streams that ultimately lead to the Occoquan Reservoir and the Potomac Rivers, our drinking water supply. Pet waste may carry disease-causing organisms, which make water unsafe for swimming and more costly to treat for drinking.

Dog waste on the ground is ugly and messy. It pollutes our environment even if it is hidden in the bushes, under leaves or in the woods.

Please pick up after your pets. Our health may depend on it."


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