In the German city of Weilerswist, the local government is considering taking action against dog poop in public spaces by collecting the DNA of all dogs in the city.
Anna-Katharina Horst is the mayor of Weilerswist. Recently, she asked the Association of Towns and Municipalities of North Rhine-Westphalia — to which Weilerswist belongs — if there is any legal basis for her to take fecal samples of dog DNA. In this way, the town will be able to tackle its looming dog poop issue, reports The European Times.
Whose Poos Are They?
Streets, parks, playgrounds, and even the city’s cemetery. According to Horst, all are filled with dog poop. Horst says Weilerswist is struggling to contain a growing amount of dog poop in public areas. The issue, according to her, is a direct result of irresponsible dog parents not cleaning up after their dogs.
“It is a fact that there are some dog owners who do not comply with the duty to remove dog excrement,” says Horst.
Apparently, the mayor also states that public workers face the brunt of the issue. Horst says public works employees use visors and medical masks when cleaning the sizable mounds of feces.
As such, Horst’s administration is seeking a sustainable, cost-effective way to mitigate the issue. The solution? Create a DNA database of all 1,586 dogs in the area. When someone finds a “stinking offense,” a quick stool sample and cross-reference will reveal which dog it came from and who their parents are. Horst says, “I’m going for a deterrent effect.”
Something Stinks
Horst admits that feedback about her idea has been mixed. However, “what comes to me is mostly supportive,” she says. While the concept may seem vulnerable to abuse, Horst says in no way is this an attempt to raise revenue.
