Collecting DNA From Doggy Offenders

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 25, 2007 in DNA Products, DNA Testing

A few months ago, I opened my front door to find a perfectly formed piece of turd on the mat. I have no idea what animal might have left it since we’ve got cats who roam the area and the occasional fox as well. We’ve even had ducks wander off the River Thames into our courtyard. If I’d been a real scientist, I would have taken a sample and found some place to analyze its DNA.

Perhaps the animal control officers in Port Phillip, Australia would be able to help me out. They’re being provided DNA kits for cases where a dog has attacked a human or a pet. They’ll be collecting DNA evidence from fur, saliva, blood, and excrement. In 2004, the first Australian animal mauling case to use DNA evidence resulted in two dogs being destroyed for killing a Pomeranian. Their owner was fined $7,244.

The Dog Attack DNA kits are produced by Genetic Technologies Limited and include DNA collection swabs, gloves, tamper evidence bags and how-to instructions.

Mr. Ian Smith of Genetic Technologies said:

We are making DNA technologies, like those featured on TV shows like CSI, available to all dog attack investigators who may require additional evidence to prosecute the owners of rogue dog.

Dog DNA can be extracted from blood, clothing or skin wounds of the victim, dog derived material such as faeces or hair, or from anything that the dog has come in contact with such as fence palings or gates.

DNA analysis is particularly useful when a dog owner refuses to cooperate with investigators or the victim is unable to identify the dog because there are many dogs running around — say in a park setting.

If only these dog DNA testing kits could be used to identify owners who don’t pick up after their dogs on their morning scat walk. One can only dream.

Update: Dogs may also incriminate their owners. DNA tests on dog hair found on the bodies of Atlanta murder victims may show that the dog belonged to convicted killer Wayne Williams.

Sheep farmers in West Tamar, Australia may also use the Dog Attack DNA Kit to identify dogs that have killed hundreds of sheep.

Tags: genetic technologies, dog attack dna kit, genetics, genes, dna, dogs, weird

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10 Comments »

Comment by David Bradley

2007-06-26 08:17:06

My son having just returned from our dog Rosie’s* morning walk complaining of the odious task of clearing up dog mess, I immediately assumed from the title of this post that it was to refer to catching owners who do not clear up. It’s a thousand poound ($2000) fine in the UK for not clearing up dog mess, so you always have to carry your pooper-scooper and biodegradable plastic bag when you go.

db

*Yes, Rosie is named for Rosalind Franklin. Obviously!

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Comment by Hsien

2007-06-26 12:57:42

There’s enough dog poo in my area to make me think that the fine isn’t much of a deterrent. Does citizen’s arrest or fine work in this country?

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Comment by Hsien

2007-06-26 14:51:23

BTW, nice one on the doggy’s name. I’m sure Rosalind would be very honored…or not!

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Comment by David Bradley

2007-06-26 14:37:46

A friend of mine recorded a repeat offender (and his dog) using his video camera. Took the evidence to the local police and got the guy fined. So, it can work. It just takes someone to stand up (avoid treading in the poo) and say, enough already! Might be harder to do in a more urban environment of course, but out here in the sticks it’s quite effective and everyone knows the guy who was caught.

db

PS Have you ever noticed how almost all conversations eventually degrade to this level?

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Comment by Hsien

2007-06-26 14:50:41

Holy crap! ahahahaa That is one dedicated friend you got there. It’s not John Hawks by any chance?

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Comment by David Bradley

2007-06-26 15:09:31

Nope, it’s not him

My friend just got so sick of stepping out the door and slipping in a pile of canine cack, that he was on the verge of establishing a vigilante group. Getting the guy fined saved him from the jail sentence force feeding the offender his dog’s muck would have landed him

db

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Pingback by Eye on DNA Links for 10 July 2007

2007-07-10 22:44:17

[...] DNA testing of pets is becoming more common. In the San Diego area, a father tracks down the dog that mauled his 7-year-old son and a woman hunts down the dog that killed her cat. What is up with these dogs?! (KGTV San Diego) [...]

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2007-08-09 19:03:57

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2007-08-13 21:04:53

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Pingback by Eye on Doggie DNA

2007-08-16 18:53:30

[...] on Doggie DNA by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei Posted August 16, 2007 in DNA Products, DNA Testing More animal DNA in the news! And even for me, who’s indifferent to animals, it’s fascinating [...]

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