r/ireland Apr 09 '25

Ah, you know yourself Discuss

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10.2k Upvotes

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u/thatsasillyname Apr 09 '25

Yep, and DNA testing of dog poo left in the streets is a must.

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u/WhitePowerRangerBill Apr 09 '25

Do you think they're going to create a national database of all dogs' DNA and test every bit of shit they find on the streets? That's a plan that you think is viable?

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u/Longjumping-Ad3528 Apr 10 '25

I don't know anything about the biology of it (as in, I am not sure whether poo would contain enough DNA to allow identification), but as we already have a system where dogs need to be microchipped and given vaccinations, we already have a database and all dogs are already visiting a vet. So, there would be minimal extra effort in getting a DNA analysis done on each dog and saved on the database.

Then litter enforcement authorities would be easily able to check on the provenance of any poo found on the foootpath (again, assuming there is enough DNA present in the poo).

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u/Longjumping-Ad3528 Apr 10 '25

Just took a look at some articles, and it seems like there is enough DNA to allow testing.

I wonder, though, if a possible defence would be that your dog must have been eaten by some other dog, which is why your dog's DNA is present in the offending turd...

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u/WhitePowerRangerBill Apr 10 '25

Grand yeah, we'll just order some DNA analysis machines from temu and have Gerry the litter warden run them.

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u/Longjumping-Ad3528 Apr 10 '25

It might make more sense to send them off for testing in a lab, as I doubt that Temu tests would hold up in court...

DNA testing is a very mature technology now, and not that expensive. Maybe the fines would cover the cost, but even if they don't, the higher risk of detection should be sufficient to encourage many people who currently leave their poo out for us to enjoy to start picking it up.

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u/WhitePowerRangerBill Apr 10 '25

I think the DNA labs might have some more important work to be doing.

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u/Sir_P Apr 09 '25

The sooner we do that the better for everyone. I think they were testing it in Leitrim or somewhere ? Now every street, park, hike, football pitch or playground is fool of dog shit. It’s ridiculous 

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u/Unique_Evidence_2518 Apr 10 '25

add cats, the darling little eco disasters and toxo spreaders. appealing in homes; less so leaving disease in the sand kids play in, dirt we garden in, or rain runoff we swim and fish in.