'Pugshots' to help tackle borough's dog mess fight

Barking and Dagenham Council is using DNA taken from samples of dog poo left on the borough's parks and streets to create a computer-generated image of the offending dog.

The aim is to find and fine the dog owners who failed to clear up after their pets.

The council has already piloted a scheme requiring owners to get their dogs DNA tested and logged on to the system as a condition to use certain parks.

Council leader Darren Rodwell said the authority is "not trying to be Big Brother" but wants dog owners to be "responsible and have civic pride".