A council in Melbourne's north will not start DNA testing dog poo found on its footpaths, after a "visionary" proposal was withdrawn.
Moreland City Council's Lambros Tapinos was proposing to create a DNA database of the region's pet dogs, so that errant excrement littering its streets and parks might be traced back to animals, and their owners fined.
The plan would have required DNA to be voluntarily taken from dogs when their owners brought them in to be microchipped.
It would also have needed a specialist operator to carry out the tests, with costs starting at $100,000.
"It is something in operation in the US and in operation in London. It's something that Madrid is looking at the moment," Councillor Tapinos said.
Councillor Tapinos was set to put his plan to council last night.
But after widespread publicity, he withdrew it just before it went to a vote.
"I acknowledge that it was probably a little bit too visionary considering there wasn't an operator in Australia," he told his fellow councillors.
"I acknowledge that the innovative approach of DNA is not necessarily feasible.
"It certainly doesn't have the support of my colleagues here. And that's been made clear over the debate had in the media and so forth.
"But I'm glad it was able to get some publicity and I'm glad that those issues were raised, because it means that residents are getting more serious and that is a good thing."
Plan labelled 'ridiculous'
As is the case in most council regions, dog owners in Moreland can be fined if they do not clean up after their animals.
However, Councillor Tapinos claimed very few people had actually been penalised under this system and a more drastic approach was needed.
"What we have is a local law but we have failed to fine any individual," he told council.
Councillors in the meeting had mixed feelings about whether rogue excrement was a problem for the area, which takes in suburbs including Brunswick, Coburg and Pascoe Vale.
Mayor Natalie Abboud said the issue was not a major concern.
"It's not that I don't care about people not taking responsibility for pet ownership and also the threat of other people stepping in faeces. And we've all done it," she said.
"But if there's a long list of problems, I don't feel this is at the top of the list."
Others called the original motion for DNA testing "ridiculous" and claimed it had led to negative publicity for the council.
Another councillor, Oscar Yildiz, remarked on how much of a problem dog excrement was on the green during his last golfing session.
"There was a number of these things," he said.
His comments drew laughter and a warning by the Mayor.
"Keep it together, councillors," she said.
After withdrawing his motion, Councillor Tapinos instead put forward a motion for an "awareness campaign" reminding people to pick up after their dogs.
That motion was passed, with a blessing from the Mayor.
"Congratulations Councillor Tapinos. What a week we've had," she said.
