A dog DNA registration scheme will today be launched by Thanet District Council at Government Acre, Ramsgate.

Council members and officers will spend this afternoon engaging with dog walkers on the so-called benefits of the scheme.

A three-month pilot scheme will be run by the council in collaboration with Streetkleen and BioPet Laboratories.

Scroll down for audio

The Poo Prints UK team will be on hand to take DNA samples and register the dogs there and then.

The aim is to build up a DNA database of dogs in Thanet to catch irresponsible dog owners who fail to pick up after their pets.

But once registered, the owners can then be 'hounded' by the council if their dog's DNA is a match.

The scheme will initially focus on areas with the most reported complaints about dog mess and the largest amounts collected and processed by the council's FIDO (Faeces Intake Disposal Operation) machine.

These areas are: Eastcliff and Central Harbour in Ramsgate and Margate’s, Cliftonville West and Central wards.

Thanet Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Cllr Suzanne Brimm said: “Dog mess is a real blight to the area and communities.

"Owners need to take responsibility for their pets and clean up responsibly and we want to encourage more people to work with us to help keep Thanet clean and beautiful.”

“DNA registration is not intended solely to catch those responsible for dog fouling, but also to make all owners think about other people and clean up after their pets.

"There are several benefits to registrations, including:

- positive proof of ownership using DNA will discourage pet theft.

- help tackle illegal puppy farms through traceability of puppies.

- improved health and wellbeing for residents and visitors through reducing uncollected dog waste in open spaces, resulting in reduced prevalence of parasitic diseases such as toxocariasis.

“Irresponsible owners who let their dogs foul and do not bag and bin it will be targeted as part of the Council's zero tolerance campaign to raise awareness and carry out enforcement against offenders and this is just the first phase.”

Local vets or one of the mobile registration, which will take place throughout summer, to register their dogs.

You can also apply to online to receive a testing kit to return by post.