Chambers Ridge Townhouse Association

Does anyone have a solution for discouraging dogs from pooping on the common ground?  I have 3-5 dogs using the area in front of my unit as their doggie litter box.  I appreciate any words of wisdom because I am at my wits end.  Thanks! 

I am also having the same issue and I am submitting a letter to the townhome association today with total blatant disgust.  I posted signs in October asking people to pick up their animal's excrement. With the intermittent snow, this has only made it worse. I work for the Air Force and have access to flags. I am about to flag every piece of shit out on the grounds and take a picture to show the Association how nasty this is. I know 2 units in which there dogs are allowed to roam and do their business as they please. 

I intended to go to the HOA meeting tonight, but I was unable to attend. I will send in the form included in the newsletter with my concerns. This may be a public health hazard and if enough of the residents complain maybe some solutions will develop.    

I am curious to where you live and if we are speaking of the same area.  At 3:50 pm yesterday afternoon I watched a lady with her dachshund.  Her dog went to the bathroom and the owner didn’t even bother picking it up. She is one of three people I know to do the same.  I have been in contact with the Home Owners Associations as of this Tuesday.  I even submitted a page and a half letter.  The Home Owners Associations does have an insert in their monthly newsletter regarding pets.  However, those items are taken from the City Code Ordinance.  The Home Owners Association stated there was little they could do on the matter.  If I had specific addresses they could send a warning to individuals.  I also spoke to Animal Care yesterday.  They stated the same. They could send people with specific addresses a warning.  However, they only send one warning per incident type a year.  If you complain again about the same individuals and same incident, they will at that point start an investigation and site/fine the individuals. They also spoke about posting signs, which I have already posted two, and getting other members of the community who are also irritated with this situation to also write Animal Care.  

This is what the Home Owners Assocation stated:

Dog owners are a problem. The covenants for the association have no "teeth" as far as pets are concerned. The covenants have only a sentence that allows residents to have customary pets.. There is very little we can do as an association to get dog owners to act responsibly. However, the City of Aurora does have laws about dogs. The most important part of this is knowing where the dog resides. Animal Care (303 326-8288) will take a statement and sometimes mail a fine to the owner. The most effective way to get some action is to get some of your neighbors involved by requesting that they also call or write Animal Care. Unfortunately, most of them won't. The association does have a letter we can send to the owner(s), but first we need to be sure of an address.

My response:

Also, as far as the dog issue is concerned, it is a neighborhood issue. I have a Jack Russell and a Jack Russell mix that I walk around the neighborhood and I see make shift signs all over stating "clean up after you pet".  I am sorry to hear that there is not much you can do about this issue and with my schedule it is hard to pinpoint who exactly the culprits are. I usually leave for work when it is dark and come home when it is dark as well.  I do have in mind two units. However, my point is not to get anyone in trouble or stir the pot, but it is a common area. A place for people, kids, and animals.  I wrote the letter regarding this issue with research in mind because I want to make sure it is known that is farther than only being a nuisance but it is a health hazard as well. I personally recommend that you yourself take a look at this area as well and see how appalling it truly is.   And like I said in my letter, I was thanked by a neighbor for putting up signs because he can't even let his grandson go out and play.  I will see what I can do from my end and see if I can get any participation from members in the neighborhood. However, as stated you stated, "it is the owners responsibility to act responsibly"!!!!!!!