Ireland is a police state. Leitrim County Council will begin DNA testing of dog poo to help identify people who fail to pick up their dog’s waste. Dog wardens will collect stool samples and attempt to match them with saliva samples taken from dogs in the same area.
Leitrim’s local authority said that dog owners will be asked to cooperate with dog wardens who ask for a saliva sample, but owners who fail to comply will be fined under the Animal Health and Welfare Act.
The act compels people to allow a saliva sample to be taken from their dog. Those who refuse will be fined.
According to RTÉ:
A spokesperson for Leitrim County Council said they believe they are the first local authority to introduce this initiative to tackle a problem which they say is not only unsightly, but which also poses a risk to human health given that dog poo can contain bacteria such as E-coli and parasites like round worm.
The Litter Pollution Act 1997 obliges dog owners to pick up their dog’s poo in public places and those who do not, can be issued with an on the spot fine of €150 with a maximum fine of up to €3,000 if convicted in the District Court.
Ireland is a police state. Yesterday, the Gardaí (Irish police) entered a church in Athlone and told around 50 worshippers to get out and go home. Footage of the incident has been shared online.
As far as the dog poo goes, I am a dog owner. I detest the lazy bastards who don’t pick up after their dogs. I could strangle the feckers. I never leave the house without several biodegradable bags.
When I see someone failing to clean up after their dog in the parks I visit, I politely but firmly remind them to pick it up.
But sending wardens out to collect dog saliva samples and empowering them to levy fines on those who refuse to comply, is beyond draconian. What has happened to my country?
