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Dog DNA registers spread across Spain as councils crack down on owners who don't pick up poop
The Costa del Sol and Tarragona become the latest to demand genetic samples as 81 towns use database to track down and fine offenders
Dog owners in Tarragona will soon need to register their pets' DNA or face a hefty €1,500 fine, making it the latest Spanish town to get serious about tackling the problem of dog mess on the streets.
From August 15 this year, all dogs in the city must have their genetic profile on file with the municipal dog registry. The move is part of what the council calls an effort to create "a cleaner and healthier city" by identifying owners who fail to pick up after their pets.
Tarragona joins a growing list of around 81 municipalities across Spain that have introduced mandatory dog DNA registration schemes to enforce cleaning laws. The practice has taken off particularly in Andalucia, the Valencian Community, Catalonia, Madrid, the Balearic Islands, Murcia and the Canary Islands.
Another recent town to launch the system was Rincón de la Victoria on the Costa del Sol, which started its programme in January this year. Madrid's Tres Cantos has been actively fining owners using DNA matching since late 2025.
In Málaga province alone, Fuengirola, Mijas, Benalmádena, Estepona and Torremolinos all require the registration. Other areas operating similar schemes include Alcalá de Henares and Tres Cantos near Madrid, Cornellà de Llobregat in Catalonia, and several Valencian towns including Calpe, Xàbia and Oropesa.
How it works in Tarragona
The company ADN Canino will collect samples and create the municipal registry by cross-referencing information from approved microchips that each dog must have with the registered DNA profile, which the council says uniquely identifies each animal. The DNA extraction is done using a saliva sample that's completely painless.
To complete registration, pet owners need to request a canine DNA test at any veterinary clinic. The clinic sends the sample to the company, which analyses it and enters it into the municipal registry. Owners then receive a tag with a QR code to attach to their pet's collar.
The price varies depending on when you get it done. Until April 15 the test costs €35, rising to €40 between then and June 15, then €45 until the August 15 deadline. After that date, anyone who hasn't registered their dog could be hit with a €1,500 fine.
The measure isn't just about deterring people who don't clean up after their pets. It will also help locate owners if dogs get lost or are found to be mistreated.
There's no national law in Spain requiring dog DNA registration, but the number of councils adopting the system is growing rapidly as towns look for effective ways to tackle the persistent problem of dog poop on public streets.
With dozens of municipalities already on board and more joining all the time, dog owners across Spain might want to start getting used to the idea that their town could be next.
Image: Pixabay
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