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DNA fight against dog poo

An Israeli city is hoping to combat dog poo with the help of DNA.

Residents of the city of Petah Tikva, a suburb of Tel Aviv, have been asked to take their pooch to their local vet, where a DNA sample can be collected. The city hopes to build a database so faeces can be matched to registered dogs and their masters.

Owners who scoop up their dog’s poo and put it in specially marked bins on Petah Tikva’s streets will be eligible for rewards - like pet food coupons and dog toys. But owners who leave their pet’s droppings on footpaths could face a fine.

If the voluntary programme takes off, the city will consider making it mandatory for owners to provide DNA samples from their dogs.

Vets involved said there were many other applications for the DNA database - such as research of genetic diseases, investigating canine pedigree and identifying stray animals.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .