Posted on 02/09/2012 6:45:01 PM PST by DogByte6RER
DNA Test Helps Enforce Pet Clean Up Policy
SAN DIEGO - The same DNA technology that has solved cold case murders is now being used to crack down on a whole new class of criminals: dog owners who don't clean up after their pets.
"Unfortunately, people leave surprises in my yard, but I always carry plastic bags, so I can clean up those surprises," said dog owner Ted Stevens.
Now, BioPet Vet Lab ,a company in Knoxville, Tenn., has developed technology that is says can identify the dogs that leave unwelcome calling cards on neighborhood lawns. The system, called Pooprints, can help communities manage and enforce a pet clean up policy, according to company officials.
Here's how it works in an apartment complex or condominium community: The property management company or homeowners association builds a DNA database by collecting cheek swabs from the dogs that live in the community. When doggie dung turns up unexpectedly, the affected resident can send a small sample to a lab. DNA testing reveals the identity of the canine culprit.
It sounds quite effective and a bit draconian.
"It seems a little hard core to me, but I guess some are rather offended by that," said Donna Deatrick. "It's a big issue. We take care of our lawns here. We don't want to walk out and look at nasty, smelly, dog droppings."
Eric Mayer, the director of business development for BioPet Vet Lab, says dog doo is more than just a nuisance. The dog population has exploded in this country, he said. Each dog creates 275 pounds of waste every year, and 40 percent of that stays on the ground. Twenty percent of contamination in waterways can be traced back to doggie dumpings, Mayer said.
"It's just rude. I walk my dogs and carry bags. It's not that big of a deal really. If it's your dog, you should clean up after it," said veterinarian Dr. Farley.
Bosco spends his weekends doing probation for his offending lawn deposits ...
FYI ... more background info at:
PooPrints - The Solution for Responsible Dog Owners @ http://www.biopetvetlab.com/index.php/pet-management/pooprints
pinging ... if you’re interested
And after they gather the pooh, what do they do with it that keeps it out of the environment? Into the garbage (landfill)? Into the toilet (septic system, or sewer)? Bury it?
I don’t believe in littering someone’s lawn with dog pooh, but by the same token the dogs have to go somewhere. There are brushy areas that I think should be permissible. If you are going to forbid the dogs from going outside, then they should also forbid the deer, the racoons, the rabbits, and the CATS! ANd especially the Occupy group.
I think these folks have too much time on their hands. My dog has 12 acres. If he uses the lawn on occasion, it gets mowed into the grass and does what fertilizer is supposed to do.
My two dogs have similar acreage. I have a plastic container that I bought at Family Dollar. I take that in my left hand and in my right hand I hold a set of 12-inch metal "tweezers" (for lack of a better term), and every day I go around the lawn and pick up the droppings. After the container is full I take it to one spot in the woods and dump it. Possums and other critters take care of it from there.
Would that be the Polfeces???
G^D
The Crapstabulary.
The Thin Brown Line.
The SQUAT Team.
What if he doesn't want his DNA collected?
What’s funny is:
I can see that is NOT a threat display, it’s a form of play.
Too many dogs, not enough time to train them all...
For those of us with 1 acre or less, just use a garden hose—pooh turns to poof!
:)
Pet pat down.
Just pour bacon grease on the piles and the next pooch walking by will clean up.
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