At a Glance
- Hudson Harbour condos in Edgewater, NJ, now swabs every dog for DNA to trace abandoned waste.
- Residents who fail to scoop face $250 fines after lab matches droppings to pets.
- Pooprints keeps a building-wide genetic database; results arrive within a week.
- Why it matters: Walkers no longer dodge messes, and property managers gain a high-tech enforcement tool.
Hudson Harbour, a waterfront condominium community in Edgewater, has enlisted science to end a perennial urban nuisance-dog owners who leave pet waste on sidewalks and lawns. The building now requires all canine residents to undergo a quick cheek swab so their unique genetic profiles can be stored by Pooprints, a Tennessee-based DNA dog-waste management firm.
How the Program Works
Property manager Christina Ortiz oversees the process. New dogs move in only after their owners present a completed DNA kit. Swabs are sent to Pooprints, where each animal’s genetic signature is logged into a secure database.
When grounds staff discover unattended feces, Ortiz steps in with a collection kit provided by the company. She uses a plastic knife to extract a small sample, drops it into a labeled tube, seals the tube inside a biohazard pouch, and ships it to the lab.
“They have a whole lab,” Ortiz explained. “And then they maintain a DNA database of every dog in the building.”
Lab technicians compare the waste sample against the building’s registry. A match triggers a violation notice and a $250 fine levied against the owner.
“Normally within a week they give us results and they are able to tell us which dog it belongs to,” she added.
Resident Reactions
Mike Gordon, who shares his sixth-floor unit with a 6-year-old Cavapoo named Eggsy, supports the crackdown.
“I don’t have a problem with that,” Gordon said. “I would make it steeper even, because there’s still some instances where we run across some people leaving some stuff behind.”
Eliana Marquez, owner of a Yorkipoo called Lola, calls the technology a welcome deterrent.
“[It’s] very annoying if you’re walking, especially of course if you step in it,” Marquez said. “Why should everyone have to deal with your dog’s poop?”
She believes the policy enhances property values and promotes responsible pet ownership.
“I think it could only improve the property,” Marquez said. “I love the technology.”
Regional and National Reach
BioPet Laboratories, Pooprints’ parent company, reports servicing nearly 300 communities across New York and New Jersey. Jersey City alone accounts for 40 properties. Nationwide, the figure jumps to 9,000 apartment complexes, condominiums, homeowner associations, and dog parks.
“This is apartments, condos, HOA neighborhoods and dog parks,” a company representative told News Of Fort Worth. “We’ve been a staple in apartments for years, but have seen interest increase significantly in the HOA space in the last few years as DNA technology becomes more mainstream and pet ownership increases.”
Enforcement Logistics
Ortiz, who has managed the 396-unit building for three years, says she collects roughly two samples per month. She no longer minds the task.
“I mean, at this point, I’m used to it. So it doesn’t really gross me out anymore,” she said.
Fines appear on the offender’s monthly maintenance statement. Repeat violations can escalate to additional penalties under the condo board’s house rules.
Cost and Privacy
Pooprints charges properties an enrollment fee per dog plus a modest analysis cost for each waste sample. Individual residents do not pay out of pocket for the swab or registration.
The company states that genetic data is used solely for waste matching and is not shared with third parties.
Impact on Community Life
Since implementation, Hudson Harbour’s walkways and landscaped areas show noticeably fewer droppings, residents report. Dog walkers say they no longer perform the frustrating hopscotch common in many urban neighborhoods.
Ortiz likens the cheek swab to a familiar pandemic precaution.
Property manager Christina Ortiz compared it to a doggy COVID test.
Key Takeaways
- DNA testing converts anonymous waste into traceable evidence, shifting accountability squarely onto pet owners.
- A $250 fine and swift identification create a strong deterrent, residents say.
- Nearly 300 tri-state communities already use the service, indicating rapid adoption of biotech solutions for routine property management issues.
