Expat Dog Owners Forced To Clear Up Mess Or Face Massive Fines

A recent crackdown on expat dog walkies in Spain sounds just like Britain.

The high level of fines recently imposed by Los Montesinos municipality on dog owners who allow their pets to urinate and defecate in parks and on pavements has caused expat shock and horror as well as approval in the popular town. Those not collecting faeces or leaving urination on pavements, street furniture and facades will be fined as much as €750, and the municipality will be conducting a public awareness campaign to ensure everyone gets the unwelcome message.

The town’s Councillor for Health, Natalie Dubi, told local media free bottles will be distributed to dog owners who’ll be instructed to fill them with a mix of water and vinegar to pour onto pet urine, thus diluting and disinfecting it. The campaign is the result of years of unsuccessful attempts by local councils to persuade dog owners to clean up after their pets, with lamp posts expected to be an especial target for the spray bottles. Expat residents are mostly in favour of the crackdown, although many believe the level of fines is far too high.

Others say they can’t wait to see how long the new rules will take to be ignored, but it seems the local municipality is deadly serious this time. Most British expats aren’t against dogs in general, but some are scathing about their owners’ lack of concern for the town’s environment. Clearing up after dogs have done what dogs do is, it seems, the acceptable way of ensuring all areas are safe for children as well as the elderly.