July 2017
Interest in pet DNA services is growing as a way to control pet owners whose pet damages common area property or who choose not to clean up after their pet. Some condo corporations now require pet owners to provide samples of their dog’s DNA.
Maintaining pet DNA records is one way to ensure pet owners refrain from leaving a mess for others to clean up. Using a third party service, pet poop samples can be sent to match up with pet DNA on record. Identified pets can be traced to residents and clean-up costs assessed. Those residents failing to comply with condo rules by not cleaning up after pets can also be sanctioned, perhaps by loss of access to common area amenities.
Pet owners who refuse to submit a pet DNA sample may face fines. Combining a $125 registration fee per pet with a fine of $200 can be an effective way to ensure pet owners remain respectful of their neighbours and common areas.
Testing is non-invasive and only used to identify dog owners who do not clean up after their pet.
