Does $117 electric pooper scooper take care of business?

After getting a PR pitch for an electric pooper scooper --it's basically a cordless dog doodie vacuum--we couldn't help ourselves. Here's what two Charlotte area product testers had to say about the Pooch Power Shovel ($117) by Pet Power Products.

We approached the “Pooch Power Shovel” with a healthy dose of skepticism, but with three fairly large dogs and a smallish backyard we were willing to give it a try.  I’m happy to report that at least for our situation, it passed with flying colors. 

The plastic bags have a built-in mesh section that allows the vacuum to maintain good suction.  This is important in quickly getting rid of all different shapes and sizes of, uh, “waste”.  It had been several weeks since we had cleaned up after the dogs.  The unit held its charge well, and the bag had plenty of capacity.

The bags are easy to insert and remove, and they fold over the opening so nothing touches the waste except the inside of the bag.  When you’re done you just tie it off and throw it away, or as the company says “Suck It and Chuck It”.  The bags slip in and out of the unit easily, and there is really no further cleanup required.

At $100 it isn’t cheap, and the bags cost $35 for 100 which for us would last a year or two.  But compared to our two alternatives - manual removal (disgusting) and Doody Calls service ($28 per visit) – we have decided that it would be money well spent. Patrick Vaughn

The Pooch Power Shovel "does the job" surprisingly well.

Assembly was very easy as I was able to quickly put it together

I also liked the fact that the devise is cordless, and comes with a power charger.  The bags are easy to change

Out, and the big advantage is that everything is kept clean and tidy.

You simple pull it out, tie and toss.

One disadvantage would be the bags. If one really liked this product, it would be best to

Keep plenty of extra bags on hand. 

All in all, I would rate this product on a scale of 1 to 10 at an 8.

It's a innovative method for scooping the yard and would benefit

Anyone with one or more dogs.  Keeping the yard free and clear

Of pet waste is very important in eliminating a breeding ground

For parasites and worms, not to mention that it's always nice to

Have "clean" yard to enjoy. Judy Newman  (In a coin flip, Judy won the scooper.)

Photo IDs.
(Top) Patrick's son, Patrick, and the dogs (left to right) are Kodiak (a Samoyed), Tank (a French Bulldog), and Ella (a German Shepherd mix).

And Judy Newman, with Teddy.