Dog Poo D.N.A.

Dog Poo DNA

DNA tests to track down dog owners who don’t scoop up their pet’s mess

If I could I would!

POODUNNIT
by Imogen Robinson

Pet owners who fail to clean up their dog’s mess in parks are now at risk of being collared by DNA testing.
In the first scheme of its kind in Britain, people are registering to have a sample of their pooch’s DNA taken and put on a database.
Dog poo that is not scooped up from parks will be collected and tested. If it matches any registered pet, the owner will be traced and warned they face punishment.
The three-month pilot scheme began on Friday 22nd January 2016 and is being run by the council in the aptly-named East London borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Council leader Darren Rodwell said: “It’s about asking considerate dog owners to register their pet’s DNA so we can wipe out dog mess”. Council tenants will be forced to join the scheme under changes to housing agreements.
It is voluntary for other dog owners at the moment. As an incentive, the first 100 registrations will be free.
Garry Downie, of PooPrints UK, the team taking the samples and testing the muck, said: “Dog DNA registration has been proven in other countries to reduce uncollected dog waste by up to 95%.
Bring it on!