Community Development District 8 Supervisor Joe Elliott has suggested the idea of implementing DNA tests to track down dog waste offenders in The Villages.
“Houston we have a problem,” said Elliott, who used to work at NASA. “In this case, Villagers we have a problem.”
He asked his fellow board members and district staff on Friday if this is something they should try and fix. He indicated the district is already involved because “No Dog Feces” signs appear on trash cans a postal stations. He added there is evidence that Villagers have been removing those signs from the trash cans.
“No one is unaware that the problem exists,” Elliott said.
For months, the topic has come up repeatedly at CDD meetings.
Last month, CDD 7 Supervisor Ron Ruggeri made the case for putting dog waste receptacles at postal stations.
Several supervisors have said the problem is pitting “Villager against Villager.”
Elliott suggested that answers might be found in education, getting Sumter County to enforce existing rules on picking up after dogs, and issuing fines to offenders.
He even suggested high-tech solutions such as DNA tests of dog waste to track down offenders.
But District Counsel Valerie Fuchs said collecting waste and proving who the owner is could be difficult.
CDD 8 Chairman Dennis Hayes said the problem is bigger than their district.
“I think it’s a topic far beyond just this board,” Hayes said.
