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Crime fighting gets boost, canine TV roles become meatier Saturday, Jul 5, 2008 By Micki Bare The identification of potentially hundreds of thousands of canines is on the brink of being disclosed due to advances in canine DNA technology. Dog owners everywhere can now enlist the service any one of a number of institutions that specialize in breed identification through the evaluation of DNA, which is then compared to databases filled with dozens to over 100 different cataloged specimens. It is now possible to expose the identity of the family mutt. The implications of such technology are many, and dogs of every type, from full-blooded champions to restaurant ally mutts, are now facing uncertain futures. Classy canines with impeccable pedigrees, once worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars, are concerned about their value to society. Once pampered by rich and doting owners, they now fear pet owners will begin craving specialized mixed breeds rather than those from boring pure bloodlines. Once pet owners can pick and choose temperaments, and verify breeds based on this new technology, what good will a pet of only one breed be to the world? Many full-blooded breeds, once proud and sure of themselves, may be reduced to working in the field of technology as DNA donors, assisting the growing identification industry with the building of breed databases. The days of relying on their good looks and certified paperwork may very well be numbered. Smug and self-assured will soon be distinctions of the past. While the future of the pedigreed pooch is rocky, that of the garden variety mutt is looking bright. The mixed breed, descendent of the unidentified wandering stray, is no longer facing a life of desperation. Mixed breeds once faced a lifetime of hoping for that one chance to catch the eye of someone who couldn't afford the price tag of a show dog so they could play the pity card - sad droopy eyes and a whimper - to secure a decent home. The classic mutt never dared dream of anything better than a fenced yard, a bowl of store brand kibble and a child who was old enough to know he shouldn't pull the family dog's tail. These desperate dogs, who never before knew the luxury of a wardrobe, gourmet meals or world travel, now have the dream of pet marketability within their grasp. Should this DNA testing take off, mutts that were once distributed by means of a cardboard box in the back of a pickup truck in the grocery store parking lot could become sought after for their delicate genealogical mix. Pet owners who want the stature of a terrier with the disposition of a golden retriever will be able to find the dog of their dreams. Pet adoption information will include official DNA testing results that accurately categorize canines, rather than having to rely on superfluous descriptions based on temperament and markings. As the public demand for mixed breeds goes up, so will the price of these former "free to a good home" vagabonds. Mutts will finally be able to shed their pitiful looks and take on an air of pride once only known to purebred pets. Armed with answers to their genealogy, mutts will finally be able to take pride in their heritage. But there is a dark side to this new DNA testing that the now threatened pedigrees and the vindicated mixed breeds alike must face. Along with the obvious implications of such technology comes the real threat to all canines, and someday all pets of the world, should the pet DNA testing industry take off. We have all seen reenactments of burglaries, assaults and even murders that included the presence of a dog. Up until now, no one really paid much attention to the furry accomplice in the background, innocently sniffing about. But today, positive identification, verified through DNA testing, has the potential to incriminate the alleged criminal's best friend and devoted companion. Our state and federal legislative bodies will now be faced with the task of developing laws to address the potential prosecution of these formerly "innocent bystanders." Inevitably, shows like Canine CSI will hit primetime. "Well, chief, it looks like Mr. Wiggles was the one holding the alleged murder weapon at the time of the alleged murder." "So it does, so it does. Go get the pig ears - it's time to make a visit to the pound and see if this Beagle-Spaniel breaks. Meanwhile, the DA's case against the alleged perp, Jack 'the Slicer' Perkins is getting considerably weaker." The silver lining? Once dogs become the focus of primetime shows, parts for purebreds and mutts alike will crop up everywhere. It's been too long since the likes of Benji and Lassie graced the red carpet. But now, with material like crime scene investigations and capitol trials, actor dogs of the future won't be limited to barking "danger" in order to save the careless kid who slipped into a well. ------- Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com. |
