Nobody likes strolling peacefully through their neighborhood and suddenly stepping in an unexpected "gift" in the middle of the sidewalk. This situation, which unfortunately remains commonplace in many parts of the country, has led local authorities to take serious action to ensure that streets stop being a veritable minefield of excrement that mar the surroundings and complicate coexistence among neighbors.
In this context, the San Sebastián City Council has decided to take action and thoroughly analyze how to end the mess created by less responsible pet owners. The capital of Gipuzkoa is evaluating the implementation of a canine genetic identification systemFollowing in the footsteps of eighty other Spanish towns that have already proven that technology is the best ally when civic education alone is not enough.
How does pet genetic registration work?
The process for setting up this database is much simpler than it seems at first glance and causes no discomfort to the animal. Through collaboration with veterinary clinics, a saliva sample is taken using a swab in the dog's mouth, a procedure Fast, painless and completely safe which allows the extraction of the DNA profile necessary for municipal registration.
Once the dog is properly registered in the system, the control efforts move to the streets through regular inspections of parks, gardens, and sidewalks. Municipal technicians collect abandoned droppings following a strict protocol that guarantees the traceability of the sample to avoid legal errors, subsequently sending the remains to a specialized laboratory that will cross-reference the data with the genetic census.
Costs and penalties to combat antisocial behavior
As far as the cost is concerned, the various city councils that already use this method have explored different avenues, from subsidizing the total cost of the test, which is usually around 36 euros plus VAT, to establishing temporary discounts. However, what really makes many people think twice before leaving excrement on the ground are the Fines and penalties for dog owners which can reach 3.000 euros in the most serious cases of recidivism or lack of registration.
Although the vast majority of dog owners in San Sebastián behave impeccably, it is estimated that around 3.000 dog droppings go uncollected in the city every day. This represents a massive deployment of public resources cleaning supplies that could be used for other needs if everyone complied with something as basic as carrying a plastic bag during their daily walk.
Added benefits for animal protection
Beyond the obvious improvement in urban hygiene, having a genetic fingerprint for each dog offers advantages that go far beyond collecting fines. This system becomes a fundamental tool for fight against abuse and neglectsince it allows the animal to be unequivocally identified even if the identification microchip has been illegally removed.
Likewise, in cases of pet theft or loss of litters, the genetic database offers additional legal security for legal owners. It is a way to safeguard the pet welfare while ensuring that public space is a pleasant place for everyone, regardless of whether they have a pet or not.
The path towards cleaner cities seems to inevitably involve a combination of social awareness and the use of effective control tools that deter the uncivil minority. Thanks to the gradual implementation of these DNA censuses, it is hoped that respect for street furniture and the cleanliness of our streets will become the norm, ensuring that Neighborly relations improve significantly and that municipal cleaning resources are optimized to the fullest for the benefit of all citizens.
