CARMEL, Ind. (AP) _ A central Indiana city could turn to DNA to solve its problem with dog poop.

Carmel-Clay Parks is considering hiring a company called PooPrints to test the DNA of dog waste against a database to identify violators and impose fines.

The Knoxville, Tennessee-based company already has contracts with apartment complexes and condos in 45 states, Canada and the United Kingdom. Some apartment complexes use it in Indiana, but The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/1z1M7T4 ) Carmel would be the first city.

The service compares poop samples to a database of DNA samples taken from dogs' mouths to identify culprits.

Carmel-Clay Parks director Mark Westermeir says a panel will study the option this spring and may focus on dogs that attend the city's new bark park. The site will open this summer.