Whether you’re a dog or cat lover – or both – we know that our four-legged friends make every home more lovable and beautiful. That’s why it’s our job to take good care of them. This includes – especially with dogs – picking up what they leave on the street and keeping the environment clean and pleasant for everyone. But this has become a major problem in some towns in Catalonia. Neighborhood complaints about dog excrement on the streets are unrelenting and awareness campaigns have had little effect. As a result, the city council is now resorting to DNA tests to identify dog owners via the animal waste and impose fines of up to €500 on them.
In Catalan towns such as Parets del Vallès, Tordera, La Seu d’Urgell, Cerdanyola and Martorell, a genetic dog register has been introduced. Each dog is given an individual DNA profile, which is stored in a municipal database. The system works as follows: Dogs must be entered into the compulsory register with a DNA sample. They then receive a collar tag with a QR code, which helps in the event of loss and provides access to the genetic profile. If dog excrement is found on the street, a DNA sample is taken in the laboratory, which is analyzed and assigned to the corresponding animal. If the dog is not registered, the system automatically creates a “robot portrait” with details of gender, breed and color to narrow down the search.
Such DNA tests are now carried out on a weekly basis and the measure is having an effect: in Tordera, the amount of dog excrement on the streets has fallen significantly. In Arenys de Munt and Parets del Vallès, the behavior of many owners has improved – the number of registered dogs there has doubled since the introduction in 2016. In municipalities with mandatory DNA, careless owners were identified in 45% of cases. The fines for not picking up dog waste can be up to €500. More and more cities are using DNA analysis to promote cleanliness, responsibility and public health.