DNA database for dogs in German town
In typical German fashion, the town of Volkach is being exceptionally well organised when it comes to the town’s canine inhabitants. Officials in the town are set to commence DNA testing all of the dogs so that they can track which animals are guilty of fouling the streets, or more accurately, which dog owners are guilty of not cleaning up after their dogs.
There are 420 registered dogs in the small German town, and they are all to be tested with either saliva or fur samples, to be added to the database.
The mayor of Volkach, Peter Kornell, stated:
Unfortunately, we have to do it voluntarily because there is nothing in the constitution about a dog DNA databank being enforceable. But we are proceeding and hope to log every pooch.
Any person who has trodden in their muck because their owners were too lazy or indifferent to clean up after them will know how distasteful and infuriating it is. So we aim to end it.
The plan is being discussed in February and the mayor hopes that the estimated cost of £78,000 won’t put off council officials from green lighting the plan. In addition to the DNS testing, they’re also hoping to employ a full time dog warden who will match up dog mess with the culprit, and their owner.
Berlin has long been asking for a similar scheme to combat the city’s dog fouling problem, but the economic mess that Berlin is currently facing makes its battle against dog mess unlikely.
Even though it is illegal in Germany for dog owners to allow their dogs to foul public areas, it is one law that the usual law abiding Germans seem only too happy to flout.
The whole of Germany is awaiting the results of the DNA testing in Volkach, and if successful could be rolled out across the country.
