AOL Assembles List of Most Controversial HOA Moves of 2011

San Antonio Homeowners Association Lawyer Trey Wilson wrote:

Picking on disabled veterans and the parents of a special needs child were some of 2011's LOWLIGHT for Homeowners Associations.

See the list of Most Controversial HOA Moves on AOL Real Estate.

Gestapo Poop Patrol? Some HOAs Use DNA Evidence to Track Culprits in Dog Turd Abandonment

San Antonio HOA Lawyer Trey Wilson wrote:

Now we've seen it all... Some HOAs are actually using DNA evidence to catch those horrible wretches who inflict one of society's greatest ills upon us all -- dog poop!

A recent trend has community associations nationwide requiring Owners in restricted communities to register their canines' feces so that it can be entered into the PooPrints "crime database" hosted by BioPet Vet Lab in Knoxville, Tennessee. Those "prints" can later be used to match offensive droppings that a dog's owner leaves behind in a restricted community.

According to its website: PooPrints

is the responsible pet waste solution for managed communities and for the environment. Most pet owners are “super scoopers,” but there will always be a few poopers out there. PooPrints works by storing pet DNA profiles for all of the dogs in the community. If waste is found on the ground, the profile can be matched and the management has solved the “who did it” problem.

To get started, a community manager will order a "PooPrints DNA Collection Kit" for each dog on the property. The cost for said kit is ostensibly passed-on to dog owners whose pets are being "profiled." The PooPrints site further claims that "[a]fter the unique database has been created with all dogs on the property, it provides an incentive for all the pet owners to scoop after their dogs." That "incentive" is most likely a fine, if a determination is made that an offensive pile belongs to your dog.

As expected, there are critics of the program -- many on privacy grounds, and others because a dog need-not be an offender before being mandated to submit a "sample." So far to my knowledge, nobody has tested the program's legality (if this isn't an unreasonable search and seizure, there may be no such thing).

Nobody disputes the fact that there are health concerns associated with dog poop. That's not to mention its generally annoying qualities -- especially if those qualities end-up on your shoes. Nevertheless, in my humble opinion this idea fits in the "get a life" category! And I write as the owner of two enormous Labrador Retrievers, and the person charged with picking-up their sizable "offerings"

That being said, I do see that there may be franchise opportunities here in San Antonio....

Colored Christmas Lights Draw Fine - Video from CNN

WOMAN BATTLES FOR COLORED CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
A woman was fined $400 by her HOA for putting up colored Christmas lights last year, and she's at it again. Watch the video on CNN.

Absurdity in Dallas -- HOA Tangles with U.S. Marine over Semper Fi Stickers

Frank Larison is a disabled veteran with more than 14 years of service, including more than a year of combat duty in Vietnam. The 58-year-old former Marine now finds himself under attack by his Dallas homeowners association for displaying seven decals on his vehicle supporting the Marine Corps. "To me, it's being patriotic, and it shows that I served," the veteran told FOX 4. The board says the decals are advertisements that violate HOA rules, and must be covered or removed. Otherwise, the homeowners association for The Woodlands II on The Creek —- where Larimore has lived for eight years —- says in a letter it will tow the car at Larimore's expense. The board also threatens to fine him $50 for any future incident.

Here's the story from Fox 4 in Dallas:


In my opinion, this is an outrage! I hope this HOA President is promptly removed from office by the residents of her condo community. Semper Fi, Mr. Larison. Thank you for your service!