Spain uses DNA to fine dog owners who don't clean up

Over 90 towns and cities in Spain now use DNA analysis to identify dog owners who fail to collect their pets’ waste.

Local authorities collect dog saliva from veterinarians, creating a genetic profile linked to each animal’s microchip and stored in a municipal database. When dog feces are found on streets, officials analyze the DNA and compare it to the database to find the owner.

The city of Malaga, in Andalusia, began this practice in 2017, and it has since grown in popularity. In Tarragona, Catalonia, dog owners have until September 30 to register their animals or risk facing penalties. Registration costs 45 euros, but the mayor of Tarragona, Ruben Viñuales of the Socialist Party of Catalonia, said he hopes the city will not collect any money from the program. He believes the measure will encourage responsible pet ownership and keep public spaces clean.