DNA Testing for Un-Scooped Dog Poop?

The idea behind DNA testing for un-scooped dog poop is that every dog will be required to have a DNA test as part of the licensing procedure, or when it is micro chipped by the vet. These DNA results are kept on file in a database for the city or area's battle against poop.

When the city, or land owner, finds an offending pile of dog poop left behind it will be tested for DNA and cross matched to locate the owner who did not clean up after their dog. The owner will then be fined for leaving a mess in city streets, parks or condo area properties.

Baltimore Condo Considers DNA Dog Poop Testing

According to an ABC News report, a Baltimore Condo is seriously proposing DNA profiling of their resident's dogs. Each condo owner that has a dog will pay $50.00 to have their dog's DNA collected and then a monthly maintenance fee so that a groundskeeper can "collect" any stools left behind.

The collected dog poop will be tested and hopefully matched to DNA on file. If the DNA shows one of the condo owners neglected to clean up Fido's poop, they will be fined up to $500.00. Some of the condo owners are protesting this proposal, calling it ridiculous.

Several other cities, both in the States and abroad, either already require the DNA testing or are considering it as a way to get the poop off of the streets. Many people think this is a waste of time and money on everyone's part. Considering the number of stray dog's and irresponsible owners, it may be impossible to track a pile of poop back to the dog owner that left it behind.

Will DNA of Dog Poop Lead to Profiling Certain Breeds?

DNA testing can also determine the exact breed of a dog. Some people fear that this is a way for city officials to profile certain dog types. Pit bulls, in particular, are banned in many cities or areas. If a dog's DNA shows that it even has a slight amount of Pit Bull heritage, owners fear that their dog will be targeted and banned.

Responsible dog owners that will comply with the DNA testing are the one's that actually clean up their dog's poop. They feel that it will not help the messy streets, because the owners of the dog messes will not be found. They also say it is a ridiculous waste of tax payer's money, as the pooper scoopers will still be doing the same job as they are doing now.

In 2003 there were 102,004 dogs that were licensed in New York City. There probably were, and still are, many dog owners that never adhered to the law of licensing their dog. So, if each of these dogs were DNA's to trace their poop, someone would have to search 102,004 records trying to find the dog that left the poop.

If the poop came from a dog that was not licensed and therefore had no DNA on file, someone just wasted a lot of time. It would have been more time and cost effective to just pick the poop up! Why target the responsible dog owners that do clean up their dog's poop?

Is tracking a dog's DNA in an effort to get owner's to clean up their poop the answer to the piles left behind by irresponsible owners? Some city officials think that it is, while other's protest the expense. Why not just put plastic doggie bag dispensers on the streets and watch where you step!

Sources

http://www.petside.com/petsideblog/2010/07/dna-testing-for-unscooped-dog.php

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/dna-testing-dogs-poop-sniff-negligent-condo-owners/story?id=10689585

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/magazine/02freak.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4738396