This is some CSI sh*t.
Leitrim County Council says it plans on introducing DNA testing to identify dog owners who neglect to pick up their dog's waste.
In a statement, it said the Leitrim Animal Warden will take samples of waste in areas with high levels of dog fouling and will then use DNA to match those samples with saliva samples taken from dogs in the same area.
To accomplish this, dog owners will be asked to co-operate with the warden in allowing a sample of saliva to be taken from their dog.
Dog owners who fail to comply will be issued with a statutory notice under the Animal Health & Welfare Act which compels them to allow a saliva sample to be taken. Failure to comply with this will lead to a fine or prosecution.
For dog owners who allow voluntary samples to be taken, in the case that a DNA match is confirmed, they will not be issued with a fine for a first-time offence. However, a fine may be issued if it happens again.
Under the Litter Pollution Act, owners who fail to clean up after their dog in public places can be issued an on-the-spot fine of €150, with a maximum fine of up to €3,000 if convicted in the District Court.
Leitrim County Council said in a statement: "In addition to dog waste being unsightly, it also poses a risk to health as it can contain bacteria such as E-coli and parasites such as roundworm, the larvae of which can cause loss of vision.
"It has been estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million faecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhoea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans."
Leitrim County Council urged dog owners to be mindful of vulnerable members in the community more at risk of coming into contact with dog waste, such as wheelchair users, visually impaired people and babies and toddlers.
