Having a pet is a tremendous and constant pleasure and satisfaction. But it also entails obligations that cannot be neglected and that, in many cases, demonstrate whether we are civic-minded or not.
Those of us who have a dog in our lives know that we have, at a minimum, three unavoidable appointments with our furry friends. Taking them for walks is essential. For them to stretch their legs, exercise, let off some steam, play or sniff other pets, and, obviously, to relieve themselves.
No one questions that dogs should relieve themselves in urban environments. After all, it's as much ours as it is theirs. However, as "aristoparents," we have an obligation to ensure that the street is left exactly as it was after our pet passes through. This is an act of civility and courtesy towards our neighbors, but it also helps to improve the image of pets in society and discredit those who accuse them of dirtying their cities. Because let's be clear: pets are not dirty; their owners are, if anyone.
The city belongs to everyone, it is our big home. And we would all want to see it clean. Therefore, individually, each person must avoid making it dirty. This means not throwing trash on the ground, but also picking up our dogs' excrement. It seems like common sense, but the truth is, it isn't.
The City Council is preparing a campaign of fines against all those who leave their dogs' or other animals' feces on the streets or in parks. The ordinance will be very strict. Penalties will range from 751 to 1,500 euros, although they can be compensated with voluntary community work related to street cleaning, of course. Sweeping or cleaning from nine in the morning to two in the afternoon, on Saturdays and Sundays, will be the punishment imposed for all those who dirty the city. Every 100 euros of fine will be equivalent to four hours of work, so many hours will be needed to compensate for the fine for serious offenses... and, in addition, a tutor will ensure that the work is carried out satisfactorily.
The Public Space Cleaning Ordinance classifies as a serious infraction the failure to comply with the obligation to immediately collect and clean up the excrement of dogs or other animals. The person handling the animal will be held responsible for this, and, subsidiarily, their owner.
"Anti-excrement" strategies are a constant in most municipalities. In 2013, Galapagar announced an "anti-poop" patrol with undercover inspectors. Meanwhile, in Brunete, excrement was sent back to the responsible parties, in a box, as a warning before fining. In 2014, Colmenar Viejo hired private detectives to film owners for incriminating evidence. In Móstoles, volunteers were encouraged to become "information canine patrols." And in Xàtiva (Valencia), a database with dog DNA was created to identify excrement, so that the owner would subsequently pay the fine and the genetic analysis.
It is our duty to pick up the excrement of our dogs and other pets. They cannot do it themselves, although surely if they could, they would be much more respectful and civic than many people. That's why it's up to us to do it. After all, we are their "aristoparents." It depends on us for animal awareness and respect for animals to grow. But for that, we too must be respectful of the environment in which we live.