Taipei  - A central Taiwan city on Wednesday began rewarding people who collect dog waste from sidewalks and parks.

Taichung, population 1 million, said that anyone who turns in 1 kilogram of dog feces to the Taichung Environmental Protection Bureau can receive a voucher worth 100 Taiwan dollars (3 US dollars).

The bureau is carrying out the project on a trial basis, with a limit on how many kilograms per day will be accepted from an individual. It plans to give out 1,300 vouchers, which can be deemed in department stores.

Many Taichung residents welcomed the plan, saying it will help keep Taichung sidewalks and parks clean. But some people feared that collectors might soak dog waste in water to make it heavier, or use dried human excrement to pass off as canine.

While encouraging people to clean the city, the Taichung Environment Protection Bureau is imposing fines of 600-1,200 Taiwan dollars (18-36 US dollars) on owners cited for not picking up after their dogs.

To prevent fraud, the bureau has printed leaflets showing staff members how to distinguish dogs' waste from other animals', and how to detect feces that was faked or soaked in water. (dpa)