Italian city Bolzano will impose a daily tax on visiting dogs beginning in 2026, and local residents will face an annual levy on their dogs, officials said.

The move is aimed at tackling persistent cleanliness issues tied to uncollected dog waste in the alpine town that serves as a gateway to the Dolomite mountains, according to local authorities and tourism officials. Cities commonly struggle with low compliance by pet owners in picking up waste, leading to unsanitary sidewalks, parks, and public spaces.

Provincial Councilor Luis Walcher defended the proposal as targeted to dog owners. “This is a fair measure because it concerns dog owners exclusively. Otherwise, sidewalk cleaning would be the responsibility of the entire community, when it must be said that the only filth on our city streets is dog waste,” Walcher said. The initiative is part of broader efforts to address costly enforcement and education required to manage pet waste.

Officials say the tax will apply to tourists who bring dogs into the city and will be supplemented by an annual fee for dogs belonging to residents. A representative from the Bolzano Tourist Office described ongoing problems with pet waste in public spaces: “Unfortunately, dog waste is often not cleaned up, especially in tourist areas, which causes problems. That’s why people are asking for a clear and practical solution.” This situation highlights a significant concern, as uncollected pet waste contributes to bacterial and nutrient pollution in urban waterways—an issue municipalities across Italy are grappling with as well.

The proposal has drawn criticism from animal welfare groups. Carla Rocchi, president of the National Animal Protection Association (Enpa), said the plan risks penalising families who travel with pets. “This action not only penalizes families and tourists who choose to travel with their dogs, but also sends a deeply flawed message: turning animals into ATMs,” Rocchi said.

Reactions from the community have been mixed, with some local officials emphasising public-space maintenance and others warning about the message such a levy sends to pet owners and animal advocates. The conversation has focused on who should carry the cost of street cleaning and how to balance tourism management with animal welfare concerns. Dog owners traveling to Italy should take several key steps to comply with local pet regulations, including ensuring their dog has a microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and appropriate documentation for travel.

Reporting on the proposal has included background on the town’s efforts to manage public spaces and visitor flows; Outlooktraveller has written about the planned measure and its expected start date of 2026.

Bolzano’s tourism office framed the levy as a practical response to recurring problems in high-traffic areas, saying residents and visitors alike want streets and public spaces kept clean. Officials have positioned the fee as a tool for addressing the immediate burden of uncollected dog waste in tourist zones, further illustrating a broader trend seen in Italy where approximately 25–27% of households own dogs, which reflects similar ownership rates across Europe.

Animal welfare groups contend the tax could discourage responsible pet ownership or travel with animals, while some municipal representatives argue it is a narrow, owner-focused approach to a visible municipal problem. The debate highlights tensions between tourism management and advocacy groups in a town closely tied to seasonal visitor flows and outdoor recreation.

If the measure is approved to start in 2026, Bolzano residents and tourist-facing businesses can expect further discussion about implementation details and possible exemptions. Municipal officials and advocacy groups remain publicly engaged in the debate over how best to keep the town’s streets and parks clean while accommodating pets and visitors.

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Original reporting: view the original article.