Pet DNA test identifies human sample as canine

The accuracy of pet DNA tests is under fire after a company twice identified a human sample as belonging to a canine.

An investigative team in Boston today received results from DNA My Dog – using DNA from a reporter's cheek, WBZ News reports.

The Toronto-based company identified reporter Christina Hager as 40% Alaskan malamute, 35% shar-pei and 25% labrador.

Swabs were also sent to pet DNA testing companies Orivet and Wisdom Panel.

Orivet – based in Melbourne and Florida – said the swab “failed to provide the data necessary to perform the breed ID analysis”.

Washington-based Wisdom Panel said the sample did not have “enough DNA to produce a reliable result”.

WBZ News last year sent in human DNA belonging to a pet owner, which DNA My Dog identified as 40% border collie, 32% cane corso and 28% bulldog.

DNA My Dog told WBNZ News at the time that it found canine DNA on the second of two swabs.

“The results provided would not be possible on a human sample,” it said.