NP Satellite-mapping techniques used to track dog poo

[Doug Millison]

Maybe he's making a map something like Slothrop's, and I wonder if Dr.
Pointsman has any openings for a research assistant....


Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2001 12:21 PM
Subject: Satellite-mapping techniques used to track dog poo 

A US man who videotapes dogs fouling public places has been cleared of
harassment.

The Colorado botanist had told a court how he used satellite mapping
techniques to chart dog poo in a school playground.

It showed 663 piles scattered over the playground on one day in March.

If convicted, he could have faced six months in jail and a fine.

A County Court panel took 15 minutes to acquit Patrick Murphy of
misdemeanour harassment.

Mr Murphy said he'd change some of his methods of tracking the dog owners
but said he's not backing down on his goal to force people to clean up after
their pets, reports the Denver Post.

He had been accused of taping Holly Mirabile and her dog at Casey Middle
School on May 10 while the dog was off its lead in an area where one is
required.

He then turned off his camera and followed Ms Mirabile to her home and then
her office. She testified she was shaken by the experience.

Mr Murphy said he only followed the woman to find out where she worked so he
could call animal-control officers.

He was also accused of harassing another dog owner at the school the same
day, but that charge was dropped by Judge Lael Montgomery because the
prosecution couldn't show he intended to harass the owner. His videotaping
technique led to another dog owner pleading guilty to violating Boulder's
leash law.


See this story on the web at
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_355688.html