Fine up to 500 euros: Italian city imposes clean up your dog's urine, too

©Sergio Arteaga via Unsplash

Do you ever suffer from a strong urine smell on the street? An adorable, faithful four-legged friend may well be responsible for that. In the Italian port city of Livorno, they now want to put a stop to dogs urinating in the streets. From now on, when you take your dog into public spaces, not only do you have to clean up your dog's feces, but the urine as well.

Letting your dog pee against a building, a pole or the street floor just like that? In Livorno, located on the west coast of Tuscany, this can henceforth earn you a fine of as much as 500 euros. Indeed, according to the city council, there were many complaints from residents about the smell, especially in parks, squares and around playgrounds. The nuisance was greatest during the hottest months.

Residents increasingly complained about a penetrating smell of urine, after which the city decided to introduce a strict rule. The new measure applies from May 20 to October 31, a period with traditionally less rainfall, and requires dog owners to carry a bottle of water or cleaning spray with them at all times. With this, they must wash their dog's urine away from sidewalks, benches and even the wheels of parked cars. In addition, dogs should not urinate near doors, windows or entrances of stores and other buildings. Law enforcement officers will check for compliance with this new, notable rule. "Public space belongs to the community and must be protected to ensure decency, hygiene and pleasant living conditions in the city," Mayor Luca Salvetti explains about remarkable measure.

©Sergio Arteaga via Unsplash