Owners in Bolzano, northern Italy, must pay €65 for test, which police can use to search for dog muck culprits

Owners in Bolzano, northern Italy, must pay €65 for test, which police can use to search for dog muck culprits

Dog owners in Bolzano must submit their pets for DNA tests as the authorities in the northern Italian province crack down on the scourge of dog poo in the streets.

The swab test results will be inserted into a database, which police can then refer to in their search for the culprits and their owners. The evidence will be used to fine owners between €292 and €1,048 (£250 and £900).

The law required the estimated 45,000 dogs in the province, located in the mountainous Trentino-Alto Adige region, to undergo a DNA test at a veterinary clinic by the end of December 2023 before the initiative is introduced this month. But only 5,000 have complied, according to reports in the Italian press.

The measure has been contentious, especially among the dog owners who diligently clean up their pet’s poop and who are now obliged to pay €65 for the test.

  • Just_Pizza_Crust@lemmy.world
    23·
    11 months ago

    I live near Merano, and for every two tourists there is a dog – who pays to test those [stray] dogs?

    Does a stray dog shit in the streets? Seriously Italians, when you find the answer to that question, you’ll know the solution to your problems.

  • calcopiritus@lemmy.world
    3·
    11 months ago

    As a dog owner, I wish this happened in my city. Every time I walk the dog I have to be extremely careful not to step on other dog’s shit.

    One time my GF was walking the dog wearing sandals and stepped on a dogshit. The owner of the dogshit approached her and told her “How dare you walk on sandals here, dogs shit here”, he later said “I’m a very good dog owner, I always carry a bag with me” (I guess to pick up the shit if police is nearby) “But I don’t like picking up the dog’s shit, it’s nasty”.

    People just suck.