Israeli city uses DNA to fight dog poop

by Heiky | September 16, 2008 at 02:33 pm

776 views | 18 Recommendations | 15 comments

Oh my. It looks like doggie DNA is finally coming into play.

An Israeli city is going to reward or punish pet owners according by using DNA analysis. These DNA analysis of droppings will point to the correct sniffer who decided to have an "accident" on the street.

Under a six-month trial program launched this week, the city of Petah Tikva, a suburb of Tel Aviv, is asking dog owners to take their animal to a municipal veterinarian, who then swabs its mouth and collects DNA.

This DNA database will be used to match feces to a registered dog and identify its owner. Apparently, owners will be eligible for rewards such as pet food coupons and dog toys if they look after their dogs' and place their droppings in specifically marked bins.

However, if the owner of a registered pet forget to pick up the doggie droppings and authorities find a match through the city's database, then the owner could receive a municipal fine.

"My goal is to get the residents involved, and tell them that together, we can make our environment clean," said Tika Bar-On, the city's chief veterinarian who came up with the idea for the DNA experiment.

The DNA database could also help with research on genetic diseases in dogs and other may help identify stray animals.

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apple_jamz

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:45 on September 16th, 2008

Heiky, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Isn't this super time consuming and a waste of money?

DiscoWeasel

at 16:29 on September 16th, 2008

Sounds like a fantastic idea. Hopefully the fines levied will offset the cost of all the testing and database creation and maintenance.

trulyoutrageous

at 20:17 on September 16th, 2008

trulyoutrageous has contributed a photo to this story.

SOLARLIFE

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 22:56 on September 16th, 2008

Heiky, I like this story. It's good stuff. Need that for France. Dogs, dogs small dogs, ...

harajukuroxy

at 00:00 on September 17th, 2008

Good times. I like a news tidbit other than Palin, gas, hurricanes or carjackings. :)

scdar

at 03:20 on September 17th, 2008

Just another usual duty the family Dog performs every morning like clock work. Visit Flickr.com and search for "scdar" for more of my photos. Hope you like them.

Regards, scdar

scdar has contributed a photo to this story.

sdar (not verified)

at 03:36 on September 17th, 2008

I do believe that pet owener's should pick up after their pet, and keep the streets, sidewalks and other public places clear of animal excrement. The fecal matter that enters the drinking water supply only contributes to increased bacteria which then leads to disease in the human population. I think it is a great idea to track and fine those who own pets and ignore the laws to protect the health of humans.

Regards,

scdar

Jordan Yerman

at 04:55 on September 17th, 2008

The incentive for signing up for this program comes in the form of coupons for pet treats. Seems like a small, one-time reward fin exchanged for penalties in perpetuity: not sure yet how even enrolling in this program can be enforced. Maybe, though, I'm too obsessed with hacks and workarounds for intrusive laws, as the pilot program seems to have been embraced during the past few months by local residents.

Authorities in Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, are setting up a special DNA database of local dogs. They will use the data to match dogs' droppings to owners - and punish those who do not clean up after their pets. While those who keep the streets clear will be rewarded, owners who fail to scoop the poop could face fines.

I would think that Israel faces greater day-to-day problems than this; the solution seems like Big-Brother overkill to me, and adds extra layers of bureaucracy to pet ownership. via email to news at nowpublic dot com

Winkingskunk

at 06:57 on September 17th, 2008

This is not really my photo. It was taken with a cameraphone of a picture I found on the internet. I can't remember what website I saw it on though. Sorry.

Winkingskunk has contributed a photo to this story.

ultranativa

at 07:22 on September 17th, 2008

NO more doggie poo! They says hehehe

ultranativa has contributed a photo to this story.

small scientist

at 07:57 on September 17th, 2008

I dislike irresponsible pet-owners as much any other person, but don't these people have bigger 'shit' to take care of? Reminds me of Chicago's short-lived Foie Gras ban...

small scientist has contributed a photo to this story.

samuel.jakobb

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 11:49 on September 18th, 2008

Haha, what a great idea!
I think my photo looks right at home.

great job!
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Heiky, I like this story. It's good stuff.

mikeyhiggins

at 21:54 on September 18th, 2008

This picture was taken in a Central London park, UK.
The sticker on the right is quite apt really, maybe Humans should be kept on a lead instead of dogs. Sticker from mixthemessage.com

mikeyhiggins has contributed a photo to this story.