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A North Wales-based enviro-tech company called Streetkleen has launched PooPrints, a DNA test used to identify the dogs responsible for leaving faeces in public places, in the UK.
Dogs are first added to the DNA World Pet Registry by taking a cheek swab and sending it for analysis at a cost of £29.95. Local authorities and landowners can then test any stray dog mess they find and see if the culprit is on the database, at a cost of £69.95.
Of course it does beggar the question why pet owners would agree to have their dog added to the database (and pay for it).
Streetkleen believes that new new legislation: The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which gives communities the opportunity to set conditions to help prevent nuisances such as dog fouling, would allow local authorities to require all dogs that use a park, for instance, to be registered.
According to the company, having the PooPrints program operational has led to a drop of 90% in recorded dog fouling incidents in many locations as dog owners realise they can be held accountable.
Streetkleen Managing Director Gary Downie said: "As a dog owner myself the challenge was how do we combine positive dog ownership with access to open spaces whilst ensuring we have accountability to local dog policy? PooPrints is a cost effective, permanent solution to dog fouling that helps ensure that our open spaces are clean, safe and welcoming for dog owners and non-dog owners alike."
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Great, you have to register your dog to walk in a park, Seriously. this is getting to much of Big brother now!
I absolutely agree with the clearing up the mess instead idea. Nice one!
Here's my idea expanding on yours...a patrolling presence (a Plop Officer?) armed with bags and a HiVis jacket that displays the words 'Pick up or Pay up' (an on the spot fine) this would be cheaper and more effective, I suspect, overall!
The other thing that bugs me about not picking up poo is people who do pick it up and then hang the stuff on a tree/fence/whatever. Why? I really don't get it! Mine was always put back in my pocket (double bagged) until I could find a suitable receptacle to dispose of it. A bonus in the cold weather too - warm hands... heheh.
Ali h
Hi Ali
I think the point is that Streetkleen is in discussions with local authorities who might be persuaded to make it a requirement for all dogs being walked in their park to be on the register. So owners that want to walk their dog in the local park would be compelled to register.
Policing it is another matter. I mean, it's relatively easy to police the turds. Someone just gets a sample and sends it off for analysis. The more difficult thing is policing whether dogs in the park are registered or not. Might it not be more cost-effective to pay someone to clear up the mess instead?
It it was April 1st I'd've honestly laughed this off as one of your seasonal jokes Arlo... :-))
I love the idea in theory but in practice...oooh dearie me.
For a business to survive it needs to be breaking even or making a profit, yes?. Can't see any money coming in unless it becomes law to be a member of such a scheme. Even then, how will it be policed and who's going to pay for the policing of it? If left to the free market alone, then WHO is going to pay to sign up?! If you always pick up plop then why pay (unless it for elimination purposes (hah ha hah, sorry for the pun!); conversely if you don't pick it up, you'd be mad to sign up for it...
It's a similar thing to having compulsory dog licences... So many holes, it's a sieve.
Sad but true, on the information provided here, it looks like a badly thought through idea.