The Alcalá de Henares City Council has conducted new DNA sampling of dog waste in the neighbourhoods of Ciudad 10, Eras del Silo, and Centro Histórico, as part of the Canine DNA project. Nearly 400 sanction files have been processed since the system was implemented.
The Alcalá de Henares City Council is extending its control over dog waste in public spaces. The latest DNA sampling has taken place in the neighbourhoods of Ciudad 10, Eras del Silo, and Centro Histórico, where agents have collected samples to identify owners who do not pick up their pets' excrement.
The Councillor for Environment and Cleaning, Vicente Pérez, has emphasised that these samplings are yielding results and has reminded residents of their obligation to pick up faeces and dilute urine with water. “Only with the cooperation of pet owners will we have a cleaner city,” he stated.
Since the implementation of the canine DNA system, the City Council has processed nearly 400 sanction files. Fines are imposed for both failing to pick up excrement and for not having the animal's DNA registered, according to municipal regulations.
The regulatory ordinance on responsible pet ownership establishes the obligation to identify dogs using DNA, as well as the collection of excrement and the dilution of urine in public spaces. Fines range from 300 to 3,000 euros.
Currently, over 10,200 dogs are registered in the municipality. The City Council believes that the system is making significant progress and that results are already visible in various neighbourhoods. The campaign is carried out in collaboration with the Local Police, which conducts controls and takes samples periodically throughout the year.
The aim of the project is to improve urban cleanliness and promote civic coexistence. Canine DNA allows for the unequivocal identification of each animal, which reinforces owners' responsibility and facilitates action against uncivil behaviour.
For the residents of Alcalá, the measure represents a greater awareness of street cleanliness. Those who have not yet registered their dog in the DNA census can do so through the municipal website, where they can also find information on the steps to follow.
The City Council plans to continue with informative and control campaigns to further increase the number of registered pets. Citizen collaboration is key to maintaining a cleaner and more civic-minded city.
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