Dog Faeces DNA Test To Fine Those Who Dirty

Very few would have thought that, one day, DNA analysis of dog feces would become a tool against those who dirty. Unfortunately, especially in large cities, people’s civic sense still leaves much to be desired. Despite the dedicated areas, the distribution of free bags and the awareness campaigns, even in our country the problem of excrement on the street is still very serious.

Unfortunately, many irresponsible owners continue to take no interest in their pet’s feces. But can the use of a DNA test really be a valid solution, even in Italy? Let’s try to deepen the topic together in this article.

A health problem

When walking on the street and forced to avoid a dog’s foul-smelling excrement, the aesthetic aspect is certainly the lesser of the evils. The rudeness of some owners concerns, in fact, a serious problem of public hygiene.

Keep in mind that, on average, a medium sized dog’s defecation contains about 3 billion fecal bacteria. This is due to the structure of the organism of these animals. Compared to humans and other animals, dogs possess a gut designed to digest anything. To allow this, the body produces a greater number of microorganisms.

Several times, in this sense, the WHO  (World Health Organization) has warned about the possible zoonoses triggered by contact with dog excrement. In fact, in adults and children, they could cause various ailments, such as headache, vomiting, fever and even kidney problems.

What is Dog Stool DNA Test and How Does It Work?

Unlike what one might think, carrying out a DNA analysis of a dog is a very simple operation. To take a sample from your pet, in fact, just rub a special swab inside the dog’s mouth. However, the owners will not be able to carry out this operation directly. In fact, a state representative will collect the sample and present it to complete the registration.

Once the database with the DNA values ​​has been created, which will be inserted in the archive already opened with the application of the microchip, it will be possible to quickly trace the dog connected to the “rude” owner. When the droppings are found on the street or on other public land, a sample is collected and compared with all recorded DNA. Once the correspondence between feces and dogs has been established, the fine is issued directly. Obviously aggravated by all the expenses of the case.

The situation in Italy and in other countries

In cities like Tel Aviv, Israel, dog owners have to go to the veterinary clinic to have their DNA analyzed. The same goes for London and the Spanish cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Tarragona.

In our country, the Municipality of Malnate, in the province of Varese, has launched this initiative in a peremptory way, forcing those who own a dog to “comply” before the end of the year. Other projects have started in cities such as Livorno and Trieste. Even in Naples an attempt was made in the wealthy Vomero district, but the problem of the excessive cost of collecting and checking the DNA of dog feces has, in fact, forced the Municipality to desist from the initiative.

The costs of DNA tests to unmask the dirty

Unfortunately, however, even if this method against those who mess would seem very effective, the costs to support it are really important. Often unsustainable for municipalities already in difficulty. It must be considered that in order to carry out such a project, public bodies would have to cover a large number of expenses.

Starting from the staff who must take the genetic sample from the dogs, plus those who have to take care of collecting any “samples” of feces left in the street. Without forgetting the very expensive DNA tests that the Municipality will have to have an external laboratory carried out. Considering these expenses, certainly not insignificant, it does not seem that this is a feasible solution, at least for a country like Italy …

Advantages of DNA testing on dog droppings

Even if, as you have seen, this type of countermeasure would represent a fairly substantial expense for the Italian municipalities, undoubtedly the advantages of this operation would be more than concrete. Let’s see them together:

• Cleaner streets : in addition to keeping pavements and parks cleaner, the transmission of possible diseases is avoided, stopping any infections in the bud even among the dogs themselves. As we know, in fact, there are also serious pathologies that can be transmitted precisely by contact with feces.
• Greater civic sense : thanks to the control carried out through the DNA test, obviously all owners will have to pay more attention to the feces of their four-legged friend. The deterrent represented by a possible fine will help develop greater awareness.
• Health control and genetic mapping : thanks to the DNA mapping of dogs present in a city, it will be possible to study and recognize the genetic diseases of dogs, their pedigree , identify dogs without microchips and identify stray ones. Without forgetting the importance of building an accurate health statistical register of the canine population.

• Revenue for the Treasury : the possibility for state bodies to raise additional funds that could be reused to pay for the costs related to cleaning or even the management and control of the genetic database of dogs should not be underestimated.