In search of an answer to solving doggie whodonits the Board of Directors for the Scarlett Place Condominiumin Baltimore, Maryland is considering a proposal to create a DNA database of its canine residents. While this seems preposterous at the outset, perhaps it isn't all that unreasonable after all. While a DNA database could help in identifying offending owners who don't pickup after their dog, dog owners and those who don't own a dog probably already know who's picking up and who isn't.
According to an article by Jill Rosen in the Baltimore Sun on May 14, 2010 ...
Under the proposal, every dog at Scarlett Place and guest dogs would be swabbed for a DNA sample - owners would then have to pay $50 each to cover the test and supplies. Dog owners would also pay an extra $10 per month per dog to cover the cost of having the building's staff scoop poop and send it to a lab. Feces, like saliva, contains tell-tale DNA.
Once the doggie offender is identified, the Board is proposing a $500 fine. All it will take is one offending dog and its owner to be caught by DNA identification and the whole problem will suddenly be "picked up". Of course, compelling owners to involuntarily give DNA for their dogs (or cats or other animals) is a slippery slope. An argument might be made that pets have no rights and therefore could be subject to community rules requiring them to provide DNA to the condominium. While boards can require that pet be leased, it isn't a big stretch to require DNA documentation.
While the outcome of the board meeting is "no" for the moment, one thing is clear, the next time your dog is doing his or her business, it might be best to pick-up.
BTW, that's Rocky "caught in the act" ... and I did pickup using a "poo-pack" (as my dad used to call them, they were a ziplock bag with a paper towel already inside and ready for use) and Rocky and Dixie (my faithful lab/chow mix - who's no longer with us) and my camera in the other.
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Thanks for delivering the poop on this one. Other than that, I don't know what to say.
Hi Stephen. Your post has left me speechless. I'll bet the human residents clean up their act fast.
Dave and Gary ...
It must be that this community has a really bad problem and has simply had enough! Monetary penalties for failing to pick-up should clean-up the problem really quick. All it's going to take is one person having to come before the board and attempt to dispute irrefutable DNA evidence. A friend of mine told me that there not likely enough trace DNA in the dog waste to make a definite identification. But, where I a resident and subject to these rules, I don't know that I'd want to take the chance. So that the scoop on the poop for now!!!