News for North Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Actor David Keith Talks Doggy Doo At Dallas City Council

IMDb
David Keith (right, with Richard Gere in "An Officer and a Gentleman") did NOT wear his uniform for Wednesday's Dallas City Council meeting.

David Keith, probably best known for his role in the movie An Officer and a Gentleman, is now on the campaign trail for a DNA registry to identify dog droppings.

The idea was originally presented to the Dallas City Council a couple of weeks ago by the company Poo Prints. The proposal would require a DNA test ($29.95) when registering dogs, which is required by city ordinance. Poo Prints says those responsible for unscooped pungent piles could then be tracked down and fined.

Today, Keith added a little star power to the idea. He told the council that doo-doo DNA could do a lot more than clean up neighborhoods.  It could also track down sources of local water pollution.

“U.S. studies conclude that at least 20 to 30 percent of the bacterial pollution found in our water system can be traced directly to dog waste,” Keith said. “The EPA has ranked pet waste in the same category as oil and toxic chemicals spills. Waste from a community of 100 dogs can close a 20-mile watershed in three days.”

Council member Delia Jasso politely encouraged Keith and others to talk to local animal advocate groups. 

D Magazine's Frontburner caught Keith in action.

Former KERA reporter BJ Austin spent more than 25 years in broadcast journalism, anchoring and reporting in Atlanta, New York, New Orleans and Dallas. Along the way, she covered Atlanta City Hall, the Georgia Legislature and the corruption trials of Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards.