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City Uses DNA To Sniff Out Dog Poop Offenders

An Israeli city is using DNA analysis of dog droppings to reward pet owners who clean up after their pets and punish those who don't. A six-month trial program launched this week, in the city of Petah Tikva, to tackle the dog mess problem in a high tech way. The program asks dog owners to take their pets to a veterinarian, who then swabs its mouth and collects DNA. The city will use the DNA database it is building to match droppings to a dog and identify its owner. Owners who scoop up their dogs' droppings and place them in specially marked bins will be eligible for rewards of pet food coupons and dog toys. Those who leave the poo on the street face fines. I wonder what sin you had to commit in a previous life to find yourself the official dog poop examiner of Petah Tikva, Israel.

5 of 252 comments (clear)

  1. Let me be the first to say... by ColdWetDog · · Score: 5, Funny

    What a shitty idea.

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  2. No vet, no license for your dog by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    In Israel, you need to have a license for your dog from the city/municipality where you live; you get it when you take your dog to the vet for its annual rabies vaccination. All licensed dogs must be "chipped" also.

    I suppose getting caught walking an unlicensed dog will also get you a hefty fine, and your dog will be confiscated. I wouldn't think that most municipalities in Israel have a lot of budget for paying people to check on dog licensing and enforcing the "clean after your dog" laws. Maybe this is one way to try to generate a new income stream for the municipality (people already pay for licensing their dogs)?

  3. Cigarette butts by spyder-implee · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They should do this with people who smoke and drop their cigarette butts on the ground.

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    1. Re:Cigarette butts by naer_dinsul · · Score: 5, Funny

      They should do this with people who smoke and drop their cigarette butts on the ground.

      What? Send them to the vet to get a DNA swab so they'll be eligible for coupons on dog food and doggie toys?

  4. Re:Let me guess... by jcwayne · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...they were stashing samples in freezers...

    You mean that wasn't double chunk chocolate ice cream?

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