In a paw-sitively unique move, an Italian province is taking on the battle against pet poop by introducing DNA testing on doggy droppings. Bolzano, a picturesque province in the Dolomites region, is setting up a dog DNA registration database to catch owners who neglect their cleanup duties.

Street cleaners and health officials in Bolzano will collect dog waste to be sent for genetic testing. Owners of dogs identified through the DNA database will face fines ranging from 50 to 500 euros (£43 to £430). Those who refuse DNA profiling for their furry friends may face even steeper fines of up to 1,048 euros.

The provincial government is creating this innovative database for nearly 40,000 dogs in the area, with around 10,000 already registered. Paolo Zambotto, the director of the veterinary department, highlighted the need for such measures, stating that Bolzano receives hundreds of complaints annually about improper waste management, with more than half related to dogs.

Zambotto mentioned that law enforcement struggles to catch offenders due to the manual nature of the process, requiring stakeouts. Similar initiatives have been tried in other cities globally, including London, Tarragona in Spain, Seattle in the USA, and Tel Aviv in Israel.

Bolzano’s decision follows the success of a scheme in Barking and Dagenham, the first UK authority to implement dog DNA testing, which reported a 50% reduction in dog faeces left in parks. Last year, the southern French town of Béziers also experimented with a trial scheme requiring dog owners to carry their pet’s “genetic passport.”

While the DNA registration will become mandatory in Bolzano around late March, tourists and non-residents will be exempted from the regulation. Dog owners will need to have blood tests for their pets, conducted in municipal dog shelters or vet clinics, with costs potentially reaching up to 100 euros or more.

Although the exact cost of the project remains undisclosed, fines are expected to cover detection and administration expenses, ensuring that pet owners think twice before leaving their furry friends’ mark unattended. Stay tuned for updates on this howl-worthy initiative!