Think twice before leaving your dog's poop behind — Italy is now tracking owners with DNA

Cities around the world continue to face challenges when it comes to keeping public spaces clean, especially when irresponsible pet owners leave behind dog waste. While signs and fines have been around for years, one Italian city is taking a more scientific approach to tackle the issue. As reported by Newsweek, officials in Bolzano have introduced a new system that uses dog DNA to track and fine owners who don’t clean up after their pets.

Nearly 40,000 dogs in Bolzano were expected to be registered in a mandatory DNA database by March 2024, according to Sky News. Once the system was active, dog feces found in public areas would be collected and genetically tested. If matched to a registered dog, the owner could face fines ranging from $54 to $545. The DNA test itself costs about $70 and must be paid for by the owner. It involves a blood sample, which can be taken at vet clinics or animal shelters. Pet owners who fail to register their dog’s DNA will also face penalties.

“Bolzano receives a few hundred complaints a year from citizens about improper management of public land. More than half are for dogs,” said Paolo Zambotto, director of the city’s veterinary department. “Law enforcement could only catch three or four of them because they have to go there and set up some kind of stakeout.” Beyond keeping the streets clean, the law also addresses health concerns. Dog feces can carry bacteria and parasites like Salmonella, E. coli, and Giardia. Some of these infections are resistant to antibiotics, making them harder to treat in humans.

According to a National Library of Medicine report, a study conducted in Bari, Southern Italy, dog poop left on city streets poses a serious health risk due to the presence of harmful and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Out of 418 samples collected, researchers found multidrug-resistant Enterococcus species, mainly E. faecium (61.6%), E. gallinarum (23.3%), and E. casseliflavus (5.5%), with high resistance to clindamycin (86.3%), tetracycline (65.7%), and erythromycin (60.2%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was also found in 0.7% of samples, and Giardia cysts appeared in 1.9%. These results show that dog waste can spread dangerous microbes and resistance genes in urban areas.

While the city hopes the measure will create cleaner and safer streets, not all dog owners are on board. As per reports, some residents feel it’s unfair that responsible owners have to pay for DNA testing, while tourists, who are exempt from fines, face no consequences. Others raised concerns about stray dogs, whose waste will go unaccounted for. Still, the database could serve multiple purposes, such as helping identify dogs involved in attacks. Though controversial, Bolzano’s approach may become a model for other cities facing similar problems with public hygiene and pet ownership.

According to another report, a study of 1,054 Australian dog owners found many are interested in composting dog poop but aren’t sure how. Most use scoops, not bags, to collect waste and dispose of it in general bins. While some compost at home, they mostly use it for non-edible plants. Common concerns include hygiene, lack of clear information, and effects of de-worming treatments on compost.