Dog Fecal Matter

Started by MichelleC8 • 9 replies • 338 views

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MichelleC8 (California)
Posts: 80

Posted:

Hello one of our immediate neighbors had a foul stench coming from ther balcony. It was found to have piles upon piles of dog feces. The owner resides there and is able bodied. He is seen taking his dog out of the community via car- my point is he is mobile. The smell was reported to management and the HOA. It was originally reported a month ago by another neighbor than myself a few days ago. The piles are getting worse and I am concerned about animal neglect.

Is this a reportable offense for animal control? I have no idea, but the condition of what the dog is submitted to looks horrendous.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

Quit reporting it to the HOA/COA.

Make a complaint to the local health department and humane society.
They have a lot more authority in situations like this.
Take pictures to document if you can.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Report as a building code violation too. can't hurt getting more people in the mix.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

There are "Doggy Grass potty patches" for balconies. It's a patch of fake grass that goes over a small pan. Many owners use them when they live on higher floors. I had one for my dogs inside when I went to work. Used it if was going to be gone some time. It allowed to put potty pads in it as well.

Wonder if this person is using one of these? If so, that doesn't indicate dog abuse. They just may be too lazy or busy to go out and clean that area up.

Former HOA President

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Are you on the Board, Michelle?

Anyway, follow the advice of the others. But ALSO enforce your own, If you're on the board, rules and covenants, have the PM send a courtesy letter telling the owner to cease & desist immediately and clean up the mess within xx days. Tell him that if does not, he will be invited to a hearing where he potentially may be fined for breaking your rules or violating your covenants. We have balconies too.

Our rules say that balconies must be kept clean.
Our CC&Rs say that no noxious odors can emanate from units (which balconies are a part of).

If you're not on the Board write the violations citing their numbers & document names to the Board c/o your PM and ask he be disciplined.

We once had the same situation only maybe worse. Every few days, the resident would wash the poop with a bucket of water out the balcony scupper drain, where it then dripped on balconies below & stained that part of the building.

(whether or not the resident is able-bodied is irrelevant)

MichelleC8 (California)
Posts: 80

Posted:

No the dog feces is in piles all over the surface area. This in along with piles of debris and piles of blue pee pads. I am going to go animal control yes, it’s neglect. I said nowhere did he have a patch or a type of apparatus you mentioned. Where did that idea come from?!?!?!

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Your board also needs to act, Michelle. go after this guy with everything for the sake of your community.

A few residents here have grass-looking patches on their balconies too, but they keep them clean. Michell's description clearly shows that a little grass patch would not help the odor, flies and and other health issues one bit. In my HOA and probably hers, it's against the rules to be too lazy or "busy" to clean up after their pets.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

#1 you did not provide enough details. Plus this is an option for many who have balconies for dogs to use. So one man's "trash" is another dog's potty place. I still don't see where this is a case of neglect if the pet if there are used doggy pads OUTSIDE of the house. It's just gross on the owner's part. Does not mean neglect on the pet. Your assigning that. Animal control is the authority who can decide and enforce it.

You did not say the dog was IN the pile of waste. It's just the trash you see. One does not equal the other.

Former HOA President

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

Anything and everything is reportable. When in doubt, call. If animal control cannot help, they should be happy to explain why they cannot (laws are obviously different in every jurisdiction) and they may be able to steer you in the right direction. Another option is calling the health department.

What, if anything, the HOA can do depends on your governing documents. I would continue contacting them.

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

I agree with KerryL1 and BenA2 that, for one, the OP should continue asking the HOA to issue a violation pursuant to the HOA's governing documents.

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