Carmel eyes DNA testing to make dog owners scoop poop

CARMEL, Ind. (AP) - A central Indiana city is considering using DNA to get the scoop on whose dog is soiling its new $1 million bark park.

Carmel-Clay Parks is considering hiring a company called PooPrints to test the DNA of dog waste against a database to identify violators and impose fines.

The Knoxville, Tennessee-based company already has contracts with apartment complexes and condos in 45 states, Canada and the United Kingdom. A handful of apartment complexes use it in Indiana, but Carmel would be the first city to use the service, The Indianapolis Star reported (http://indy.st/1z1M7T4 ).

Carmel-Clay Parks director Mark Westermeir said the city is still discussing how to implement the program if it decides to hire PooPrints. One option is to take DNA samples from the mouths of dogs whose owners have passes for a dog park and send the data to the company, which would enter it into a worldwide registry.

When someone finds a rogue pile of dog poop, employees could send the sample to PooPrints for a simple DNA test.

Eric Mayer, PooPrints' director of business development, said the DNA swab test costs $35 to $60 per dog. The tests on fecal samples cost about $100 at the company's lab.

Mayer said the service has been popular at apartment complexes because property managers can require pet owners to have their dogs tested as a condition of signing a lease.

Applying the concept to an entire city is more challenging. Some cities have considered taking DNA samples from every dog in the community, while others, like Carmel, are looking at limiting it only to dog park visitors.

Carmel will open its 2-acre park this summer. The facility will include a fenced area, shelters, restrooms and water feature. The city plans to add an agility course in the future.

Westermeir said dog waste is already a problem at the city's parks and noted that unattended poop can spread disease.

"In the winter, once the snow melts, we usually have a pretty major clean up across the trail," he said.

Parks officials will form a committee this spring to discuss the rules and fee structure for the bark park, including the possible use of DNA testing.

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com