MAINTENANCE
craig hammer | doody calls
Scooping the Poop is the Law:
Options for Managing Pet Waste
N
ationwide, about 40% of households
own at least one dog, and collectively,
these dogs produce an enormous
amount of waste. The accumulation of
pet waste around pools, tennis courts, tot lots, paths,
and other common areas, makes otherwise attractive properties less than pleasant. Dog waste is
unsightly and creates a serious health hazard if not
dealt with properly.
Worms, including roundworm, ringworm, whipworm; bacteria such as E. Coli, and viruses like the
deadly parvovirus are all transmitted through dog
waste. Additionally pet waste attracts rats and flies.
In order to provide residents with attractive and safe
areas to relax, community associations must learn to
effectively manage pet waste.
Pet owners must pick up after their dogs. It’s
not only the right thing to do; it is the law in many
cities in Colorado.
Options for managing pet waste include:
• Educating residents,
• Including pooper-scooper provision in
community bylaws,
• Installing pet waste stations,
• Patrolling common areas for pet waste, and
• Contracting with a pet waste management
company.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Arvada, as well as and many other cities, enforce
pooper-scooper laws (http://arvada.org/safety-andhealth/arvada-animal-rules-regulations/) It is
important to educate residents about applicable
local pooper scooper laws and why it’s important
to pick up after their pet. Pet waste management
educational materials for community managers and
residents may be found at: www.DoodyFreeWater.
org.
COMMUNITY BYLAWS
Pooper-scooper provisions should be included
in community bylaws to stress the importance of
picking up after pets and also to make violations
enforceable by the community association. For
example, the bylaws for a community in Alexandria,
Va. state that “pet owners are responsible for cleaning up waste from their pet…The...Board of Directors shall have the authority to hold a special hearing…and to assess charges...”
www.aamdhq.org
May15.indd 31
PET WASTE REMOVAL STATIONS
Despite their best intentions, residents may
not consistently pick up after their pets. Sometimes
they may not have a litterbag with them or they
may not have access to convenient locations to
dispose of the bagged waste. Pet waste removal
stations solve both of these problems. Stations
should be emptied on a weekly basis to ensure they
remain useable, stocked with litterbags, and sanitary. Community associations may choose to contract with a pet waste removal company to install
and service their pet waste stations.
PATROL COMMON AREAS FOR
DOG WASTE
PET WASTE REMOVAL
COMPANIES
Another option to explore is to contract with
a pet waste removal company to help manage pet
waste in community association common areas.
Pet waste removal companies offer affordable,
professional, and accountable service. Many companies also sell, install, and service pet waste removal stations.
Craig Hammer owns DoodyCalls, a pet waste removal
company that provides professional pet waste removal service
to residential yards, commercial properties, and community
associations in the Denver metropolitan area.
To ensure that common areas do not accumulate pet waste, associations should patrol their
common areas for pet waste on a regular basis.
Communities may hold “pooper-scooper,” days
when residents get together to patrol the grounds
for pet waste.
MAY 2015 • TRENDS | 31
5/14/15 6:47 AM