West Orange complex would fine owners who don't comply if the rule is adopted next month
WEST ORANGE -- The dog droppings that have reportedly become a problem around a West Orange condominium complex have prompted the board to take action.
Eagle Ridge's condo association will decide next month whether to require residents who own dogs to submit a DNA sample for their pet, according to WCBS-2. Owners who don't comply by a deadline face a $100 fine and then an additional penalty of $250 per week, the report said.
Residents opposed to the idea are circulating a petition. The proposal will be discussed at a meeting on Thursday.
Board member Howard Matalon says that the DNA testing is being done solely to identify who is not cleaning up after their dogs.
Resident Barbara Mintz said the proposal seems a little extreme and that all pet owners will have to suffer because of the people leaving messes behind.
The gated community opened in 1979, according to a NYTimes.com story. It has a pool, tennis courts and an indoor clubhouse with a fitness room and sauna.
Communities in Colorado and Seattle are among those to enact similar testing because owners were walking their dogs and leaving behind the results, according to reports.
In England, every dog in the country will be required to be microchipped by April, according to BBC.com. Though it's designed to cut down on strays, it will also help local officials track down owners who don't clean up after their pets.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.