US dog owners could be caught out for not cleaning up after their pet. Samples of the mess left behind by dogs are being taken and sent off to a lab in Tennessee where they are tested against a data base to match DNA from the sample to an offender and their owner.

Currently the system only works in closed communities where they can take DNA samples from all the residents dogs as the poop samples can only be matched back to dogs they have on file. The results are then emailed back and offending owners are issued a warning.

The aim of this is to get dog owners to take responsibility and clean up after their pets. In the UK if you don't clean up after your dog you can face an on the spot fine of up to £80. If the owner refuses to pay they can be taken to Magistrates Court for Dog Fouling offences and be fined up to £1,000.