Many urban dwellers are familiar with city charges for vehicle entry, but one Italian municipality is now proposing a fee for bringing dogs into town.
A new bill in Bolzano, a picturesque city nestled in the Tyrolean Alps, could soon introduce a daily charge of approximately 1.50 euros (about $1.75) for dogs accompanying tourists. This potential change has been widely reported by Italian news outlets.
If approved by the provincial council, the new legislation, set to take effect in 2026, won’t just impact visitors. Local dog owners would also face an estimated annual fee of 100 euros per dog, resurrecting a tax that was discontinued in 2008.
These proposed taxes would supersede Bolzano’s current policy of mandatory DNA testing for all dogs. This previous requirement, in place for two years, aimed to identify dogs responsible for leaving waste, involved in accidents, or involved in altercations. However, it proved challenging to enforce, with only about 12,000 out of 30,000 dog owners complying, partly due to the over $50 cost of the DNA test. A similar initiative was also launched in Naples in the 2010s.
It’s unlikely that many will miss the complex DNA testing rules. Thomas Widmann, a councilor, expressed his approval to an Italian newspaper, stating, “I’m pleased that the provincial government has finally chosen the path of common sense and decided to end the DNA registry.”
For those who previously opted for the DNA test for their pets, a two-year exemption from the new tax would apply.
According to Luis Walcher, the councilor who introduced the new measure, dog waste on the streets of Bolzano – located in the South Tyrol province close to the Austrian border – is considered “a serious problem.”
Currently, dog owners face fines ranging from €200 to €600 (approximately $235 to $704) for failing to clean up after their pets. This new plan may also include an increase in these existing fines.
City officials have stated that the revenue generated from these dog taxes would be allocated towards improving street cleanliness and developing much-needed dog parks within the city.
However, the proposed plan has not been met with universal approval, even drawing criticism from the city’s mayor.
In a public statement on RTL radio, Mayor Claudio Corrarati, perhaps seeking to appeal to canine advocates, remarked, “We would be dogs to impose a tax on dogs.” When questioned about the likelihood of the tax being implemented, he confidently declared, “In Bolzano, not. For sure. Come to Bolzano with your animals!”
As an alternative solution to the issue of dirty sidewalks, Mayor Corrarati proposed implementing neighborhood watches to “thoroughly report those who disrespect their neighborhood” and also suggested that the city should distribute more dog waste bags.
Carla Rocchi, president of the Italian animal rights organization ENPA, voiced strong opposition, stating that the measure “not only penalizes families and tourists who choose to travel with their dogs, but also sends a profoundly flawed message: turning animals into a fiscal ATM.”