There should be no compulsory DNA testing scheme to monitor dog fouling in the near future.

That’s the view of Douglas Council on a government proposal for all dogs to be DNA tested, with details entered on a data-base to help identify the culprits in some of the island’s faeces hot spots.

Councillors have recommended the matter be put on hold while the impact of similar schemes elsewhere is assessed.

One of the capital’s primary schools has been blighted by an increase in dog fouling outside its premises.

Scoill Vallajeelt at Farmhill is now receiving extra support from the council’s dog warden to try to address the problem which has affected pavements and verges right by the school.

Head teacher Denise Lyon has told the council that her staff had noticed that not all dog owners cleaned up after their pets and used the bins provided.

’It’s unsightly, unpleasant and antisocial and causes a problem if it gets tracked into the building. It can also cause serious illnesses. I would like to ask dog owners to bag it and bin it and be environmentally responsible,’ she said.

The council has introduced several measures to tackle the problem, including using special signs and reminders stencilled onto pavements in so-called hot-spots. Last year councillors even debated a ’multi-stage faeces strategy’, though this was ultimately deemed too complicated and not adopted.

Environmental services committee chairman Cllr Ritchie McNicholl said: ’Some less-than-responsible dog owners are persistently allowing their dogs to foul right outside the school and then fail to remove the faeces.

’Our borough wardens have visited the area on numerous occasions and put out "Clean It Up" stickers to remind owners that it is an offence not to pick up after their dogs but despite their best efforts, and those of our waste services team, the problem persists.’

Cllr McNicholl also offered a stern warning that wardens can issue £50 fixed penalty fines to anyone seen offending by not cleaning up after their dog.

Council leader David Christian, who represents Hills ward, reminded people they could report offenders by telephoning, calling in at the town hall or using the Report It section of the council’s web site at douglas.im.

Councillor Christian said: ’I see this is as a serious community problem that demands a community response. I appeal to anyone who sees owners failing to pick up anywhere on the estate not to hesitate to bring the culprits to the council’s attention, and to be willing to support their account with a statement if necessary.’

The proposed addition to the Dogs (Amendment) Bill being considered by Tynwald could pave the way for an island-wide database of dogs’ DNA. This, in turn, would allow offenders to be identified by DNA testing faeces samples.

Speaking in February, Garff MHK Martyn Perkins told the BBC he supported the proposal.

But the council’s executive committee decided not to support the measure saying the cost and time commitment may be too high and the scheme may be of limited value because irresponsible owners would simply fail to register their pets in the first place.

The committee instead suggested making it a criminal offence for an owner not to carry some means of cleaning up.

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