SOMERSET NEWS: Dog mess DNA should be used to track down lazy owners who fail to scoop the poop

A COUNTY councillor believes testing dog poo DNA could be the best way to try and catch irresponsible owners who fail to pick up the mess left behind by their animals on streets and playing fields in Somerset.

Cllr Linda Vijeh believes it is time that real action was taken to clamp down on the small minority of dog owners who are too lazy to bend down and scoop up the poop – a problem which blights virtually every community in the county.

“Personally I think we should DNA all dogs and their dog poo and then rub their owners’ faces in it,” said Cllr Vijeh.

Her outburst came after responding to complaints from the headteacher of Neroche Primary School near Ilminster about escalating dog mess disgust.

Connel Boyle said: “The situation really is getting serious here. From the War Memorial to the village hall – mess is everywhere on the footpath.

“The children walked loads of it into the village hall for Scouts and Beavers and the school carpets have been covered.”

Mr Boyle added: “I have never seen so much anywhere before. I have reported to South Somerset District Council where residents believe the mess is coming from, but I know this is so hard to prove.

“If there is anything we can do please let me know.”

PHOTO – RIGHT: Cllr Linda Vijeh: “I think we should DNA all dogs and their dog poo and then rub their owners’ faces in it.”

It comes at a time when Ilminster Town Council is to carry out a consultation about introducing a policy about the exercising of dogs on council-owned open spaces such as the Ilminster Recreation Ground and the adjoining Britten’s Field.

Local authorities around the world are using DNA testing, which uses genetic analysis to identify dogs responsible for waste left in the streets and parks, to catch those offending owners.

It uses DNA to match dog mess to a database of animals so their owners can be issued with fines or even prosecuted.

At present it is difficult to prosecute offending owners unless council officials actually witness them failing to pick up the dog poo.

But the use of a DNA scheme in areas would see dog owners walking their animals being asked to provide swabs from their animal’s mouths so they can be added to a DNA database.

Cllr Vijeh, who represents Ilminster at County Hall and also the Neroche ward at South Somerset District Council, has suggested that CCTV could also be used in dog poo hot spots to catch the offending owners.

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