Andorra Fines 90 Dog Owners Using DNA Profiling for Street Waste, Excluding One Parish

Six Andorran parishes excluding Escaldes-Engordany have issued around 90 fines to dog owners for failing to clean up pet waste in public spaces, using a canine DNA genotyping system described as "fully consolidated." The parishes have delegated the management of a new tender to Andorra la Vella, with adjudication planned for January 2027 after the current contract expires in December 2026.

The system has profiled 9,347 dogs, representing 79% of those on the Companion Animal Register, with some parishes exceeding 90% coverage despite possible unregistered animals. Analyses have matched up to 45% of street feces samples to specific dogs in certain areas, leading to penalties of €150 to €300, including for repeat offenders. Each test costs parishes approximately €44, while owners pay genotyping fees through veterinarians. Initial measures such as subsidies, awareness campaigns and owner notifications fostered habit changes, resulting in cleaner streets and greater owner responsibility, according to Encamp's head councillor, Laura Mas. "This project not only works but delivers concrete results: much cleaner streets and greater responsibility among pet owners," she said at Tuesday's consuls' meeting in Encamp, alongside Ordino's Maria del Mar Coma.

Escaldes-Engordany complies with the nationwide genotyping requirement but has chosen not to participate in the analysis system, preventing DNA-based fines.

At the same meeting, the parishes approved an international tender for forest management from 2027 to 2033, including Andorran Forestry Department staffing and work execution. Over the past decade from 2016 to 2026, efforts covered 530 hectares and yielded about 3,500 tonnes of timber, with Canillo handling nearly 40% of the area, La Massana over 30% of the timber, followed by Encamp and Sant Julià de Lòria.

The renewed tender introduces innovation and traceability features, including high-precision geolocation, GIS tools, mandatory weighing tickets for timber, and separate lots for mechanized and non-mechanized tasks to boost participation by smaller firms. Parishes committed to raising the minimum annual investment from €15,000 each, with specific amounts to be confirmed in plenary sessions. Mas noted the updates aim for more sustainable and efficient management adapted to new challenges.