An Italian animal welfare organization has condemned a proposal in a northern province to impose a fee for dogs, calling it "utterly unreasonable."
Officials in Bolzano, located in the mountainous Trentino-Alto Adige region, have suggested implementing a nightly charge of €1.50 for visiting dogs and an annual €100 fee for local dog owners.
If approved, part of the funds would be allocated to clean up dog waste from public spaces. The move comes after a previous measure requiring DNA testing for dogs to trace irresponsible owners proved ineffective last year.
Luis Walcher, the official advocating for the fee, stated in local media that the proposal targets only dog owners, preventing the broader community from bearing the costs of waste cleanup. He hopes the policy, which would also finance new areas for dogs, will take effect next year.
However, the plan has faced backlash, especially as other Italian regions have embraced more accommodating policies for pets. Rome’s Fiumicino airport recently unveiled a high-end facility designed to ensure dogs' comfort while their owners are away. Meanwhile, the national airline now permits larger dogs to travel inside the cabin.
The group Aidaa criticized the measure, stating, "This fee is utterly unreasonable and conflicts with policies elsewhere in Italy, where pet ownership isn’t taxed."
They called on Bolzano authorities to withdraw the proposal, threatening organized resistance if it passes.
Carla Rocchi, head of Italy’s animal welfare agency, Enpa, described the plan as counterproductive, arguing it unfairly burdens families and visitors while conveying a distorted view of animals.
Bolzano’s mayor, Claudio Corrarati, also opposed the move, cautioning that it could portray the province as unwelcoming.
The earlier DNA testing initiative was similarly divisive. Owners were required to pay €65 for a test, with results stored in a database to help enforce fines against those who neglected cleanup responsibilities. Few participated.
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