In an effort to rid village sidewalks and other public sites of dog excrement, the Village of Bluffton is considering the hiring of Canine DNA On The Spot. The company, based in Cleveland, offers communities and park services with DNA animal excrement testing services.

According to the company website: “We assist municipalities and park services in matching animal excrement found on streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks and lawns, with the actual animal that deposited the excrement.”

The website continues that the DNA testing is 96 percent accurate. Municipalities that use the company’s services create a dog excrement ordinance. It can provide fines of up to $250 to the dog owner, depending upon the size of the deposit.

In the case of Elyria-On-The Lake, Ohio, the fines assessed to dog owners whose animals were traced by the DNA testing, generated over $15,000 to that community’s general fund in the first year after hiring Canine DNA On The Spot.

Once the excrement is “captured” by an independent contractor hired by Canine DNA On The Spot, it generally takes less than 24 hours to identify the dog and dog owner involved.

“The dog owners don’t like us, but the people who find it necessary to clean their shoes after stepping in ‘it’ really appreciate our services,” read an endorsement on the website.

For more information on Canine DNA On The Spot go to the company website:www.dontyouknowitsaprilfoolyoudummy.org.