Initially brought up one year ago by Monaco’s elected officials, the subject of DNA testing dog droppings in order to fine pet owners who don’t clean up after their dogs was brought up again on 18 December.
The idea shocked many people last year, when National Councillor Nathalie Amoratti-Blanc first proposed an unusual and radical solution to punish owners who do not pick up after their dogs during the examination of the 2024 preliminary budget.
Nathalie Amoratti-Blanc raised the subject once again, stating that the presence of many bag dispensers across Monaco is not enough to inspire all dog-owners to pick up after their dogs. The councillor said that many European cities have reduced the act by 90% with this system and that it would be quite easy to implement in the Principality’s small territory. Céline Caron-Dagioni, government advisor and Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning, shared the sentiment, saying that it is a real social issue.
The Prince’s government is exploring ways to put an end to the unsanitary acts. If DNA profiling is implemented, it would make it possible to directly target offenders and fine them.
Already in effect in the Alpes-Maritimes…
In l’Escarène, a town in the upper-Nice region with just over 2,500 inhabitants, a “Dog DNA” operation was launched. Dogs whose owners live in the town can now be identified by their DNA. DNA tests were once only mandatory for purebred dogs, so a municipal decree had to be issued. The mouth swab or blood sample is taken by a veterinarian who sends it to a laboratory to obtain a genetic card. The process is free for the pet-owner, but costs the municipality about 50 euros per animal. Offenders are fined 300 euros.
In Béziers, about 400 kilometres away from Monaco, genetic identification of pets has been mandatory since September 2023. A dropping left on public property leads to a fine of 122 euros. Tourists are not affected by this measure.
