DNA in dog mess could be used to catch foulers

The dog's DNA will be matched with that on a database

DNA in dog mess could be used to catch owners who fail to clear up their pet's mess.

A firm in north Wales wants to bring the PooPrints service from the United States to the UK with up to 15 councils reportedly interested in the scheme.

Councils could make owners in problem areas register their dogs to a database which involves a mouth swab taken.

Then, DNA could be taken from mess left on a street, path or grass and used to find a match on the database.

Gary Downie, managing director of Streetkleen Bio in Ruthin, Denbighshire, believes local authorities can use new powers granted by the Antisocial Behaviour and Policing Act 2014 to force dog owners to comply.

"The purpose of the system is to get cleaner, safer open spaces," he said.

Councils the company is in talks with include Kingston-upon-Thames in south-west London, Aberdeen and Cheshire East.