Dog owners in the Italian port city of Livorno must now clean up their pets' urine from public spaces or risk fines of up to €500. The measure, introduced by Mayor Luca Salvetti, follows numerous complaints from residents about the smell of dog urine, particularly in parks and children's play areas.
New Requirements for Dog Owners
Under the new rules, dog owners are required to carry water bottles and sprayers to cleanse pavements, benches, and even the wheels of parked cars and scooters. Pets are forbidden from urinating near doorways, windows, and especially entrances to shops, offices, and homes.
The council stated: "Public spaces are community property that must be protected to ensure decorum, hygiene, and urban livability." The measure responds to "numerous reports from residents highlighting the discomfort caused by foul odours and the health and hygiene issues resulting from the presence of liquid animal waste in spaces intended for socialisation by adults and children."
Enforcement and Penalties
The regulation applies to anyone walking a dog, whether owner or caretaker, and will be enforced from 20 May to 31 October, deemed the most critical period due to higher temperatures and lower rainfall. Violators face fines ranging from €25 to €500 (£21 to £425).
Similar rules already exist in Livorno for solid dog waste, requiring walkers to carry equipment to scoop up excrement. Public officials may conduct spot checks to ensure compliance.
In September last year, Bolzano leaders sparked controversy by proposing a dog tax of €1.50 per night for visiting canines and €100 per year per resident dog, with proceeds used to clean streets of dog mess.
