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Dog poo to be DNA tested
couple walking dog
A cheek swab is used to collect DNA, which is then stored in a registry by PooPrints UK.

Barking council in bid to catch 'selfish' owners

A UK local authority has revealed plans to DNA test dog poo in order to catch 'selfish' owners who do not clean up after their pet.

It may sound like a late April Fool's joke, but Barking and Dagenham Council are the first local authority in the country to introduce such a scheme. They have teamed up with the DNA sequencing company, PooPrints UK.

DNA is collected from dogs by a cheek swab and stored in a registry, at a cost of £15-£30 to the owner, the company says. If the owner then fails to pick up after their pet, a DNA test can trace the registered dog with 99.9 per cent accuracy. The owner could then face fines of up to £80.

It is expected that a pilot scheme will be introduced and, if successful, it will be rolled out across the borough from September 2016.

The move was announced at a dog fouling forum in Barking this week, where attendees discussed how to encourage owners to register their dog's DNA and how to tie this in with the upcoming requirement for all dogs to be microchipped.

Opening the forum, councillor Darren Rodwell said: "We are the first Council in the country to get really tough on dog mess and pet owners who do not act in a socially responsible way. The vast majority of dog owners in Barking and Dagenham are socially responsible but unfortunately a selfish few think it’s ok to not clean up after their pet."

Dog poo DNA testing is undertaken in 45 US states, as well as Canada. The program is also currently being trialled in Israel and Singapore.

Biotech company Streetkleen is overseeing PooPrints in the UK. Its managing director Gary Downie claims the scheme has reduced dog fouling by as much as 90 per cent in parts of the US.

The Kennel Club's Caroline Kisko, however, has reservations about making the scheme compulsory, and the cost to dog owners.

She told the Evening Telegraph: "…it would be difficult to make this compulsory and enforceable which would likely mean that only responsible owners, who already pick up after their dogs, would register - the irresponsible minority who do not pick up after their dogs would simply continue to flout the law...

"We would also be concerned if there was a cost involved for dog owners, which could effectively become a tax on responsible owners."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.