Dog owners are actually required by law to collect and dispose of their four-legged friends ‘ droppings, but some don’t follow the rules to the letter. Non-compliance may result in a fine, but the offenders must first be caught. In practice, however, this often proves difficult. In Catalonia, Spain, law enforcement officers use a special method to combat dog poo on sidewalks.
Success with a DNA test
The theory is simple: DNA tests are used to find out which dog left the poo behind. To do this, fecal samples are filled into a tube and sent in. If the animal and its owner can be identified, a fine is imposed. Ideally, clear identification should prevent dog poo from being left lying around at all.
The idea is not new. The first municipality in Catalonia launched the tests back in 2016, with others expressing interest or following suit, including Tordera. Every week, civil protection patrols designated zones for undisposed dog waste and collects samples. Owners face a fine of up to €500.
For the system to work, the dogs must be registered, as this is the only way to identify them. The city of Málaga in the south of Spain started setting up a DNA database for dogs specifically for this purpose in 2017, and anyone who does not comply will pay a fine. DNA tests are also already in place in Naples, London, South Tyrol, Tel Aviv and parts of the USA.
DNA tests for dog poo under discussion in Munich
There are 10.5 million dogs in Germany , making them one of the most popular pets. In Munich alone, there are more than 45,000 of these popular four-legged friends who want to be walked through the streets, parks and along the Isar several times a day. Dog poo that is not removed is not just dirt that spoils the cityscape , it can also be dangerous. Visually impaired people, for example, can step in it, slip and fall. Children could come into contact with it in playgrounds.
This is why DNA tests are a recurring topic of discussion in Munich. The costs that such a system would entail could be recouped through the fines. However, the opposing side has data protection concerns and doubts that the necessary database could be set up. The Bavarian municipality of Rödelsee already made an attempt in 2019. It wanted to waive the dog tax for dog owners who voluntarily registered their pets in the database. However, the state’s data protection officer managed to prevent this.
The problem therefore still exists, and a solution does not appear to be in sight for the time being. Some municipalities have introduced fines in the four-digit range as a deterrent. In Munich, the fines start at €75, but quickly reach the three-digit range if, for example, playgrounds are contaminated. Munich’s dog owners are safe from DNA tests for the time being.