Pet owner Daniel Allen cleans up after his 6 1/2 month old puggle (pug/beagle) puppy in the dogwalk area of Roseville Estates North on Thursday morning, May 17, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Pioneer Press, John Doman
July 04, 2012 - 3:00 PM
CALGARY - Animal researchers at the University of Calgary are embarking on some stinky science.
They want dog owners in Calgary to scoop up their poop and pass it on for a study examining gastrointestinal parasites.
Researchers hope to find out how parasites are passed between dogs and other wild animals such as coyotes and rodents in urban parks.
They say the results of the poo study could be priceless.
In exchange for handing over their doggy doo, owners will get lab results detailing the health of their animals, which typically cost more than $100.
Invitations to take part in the study are to be mailed next week targeting dog owners in specific communities near popular city parks.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012