Having a pet is an enormous and constant pleasure and source of satisfaction. But it also involves obligations that cannot be neglected and that, in many cases, show whether or not we are responsible members of society.
Those of us who share our lives with a dog know that we have at least three unavoidable appointments with our furry friends. Taking them for walks is essential. So they can stretch their legs, exercise, let off some steam, play or sniff other pets and, obviously, relieve themselves.
No one questions that dogs need to relieve themselves in urban environments. After all, the environment belongs to us just as much as it belongs to them. However, as aristoparents, we have an obligation to ensure that the street is left exactly as it was after our pet has passed through. This is an act of civic responsibility and consideration toward our neighbors, but it also helps 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 is.
The city belongs to everyone; it is our great shared home. And we would all like to see it clean. That is why, individually, everyone should avoid dirtying it. This means not throwing waste on the ground, but also picking up after our dogs. It may seem like common sense, but the truth is that it is not.
The City Council is preparing a campaign of fines against anyone who leaves the feces of their dogs or other animals on the streets or in parks. The ordinance will be very strict. Fines will range from 751 to 1,500 euros, although they may be replaced with voluntary community service related, naturally, to cleaning the streets. Sweeping or cleaning from nine in the morning until two in the afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays will be the punishment imposed on anyone who dirties the city. Every 100 euros of a fine will correspond to four hours of work, so it will take many hours to offset fines for serious offenses... and, in addition, a supervisor will ensure that the work is carried out satisfactorily.
The Public Spaces Cleaning Ordinance classifies failure to immediately collect and clean up the feces of dogs or other animals as a serious offense. Responsibility will fall on the person walking the animal and, secondarily, on its owner.
“Anti-feces” strategies are a constant in most municipalities. In 2013, Galapagar announced an “anti-poop” patrol with undercover inspectors. In Brunete, feces were sent back to those responsible in a box as a warning before fines were issued. In 2014, Colmenar Viejo hired private detectives to film owners in search of incriminating evidence. In Móstoles, volunteers were encouraged to become “canine information patrols.” And in Xàtiva (Valencia), a database containing dogs' DNA was created to identify feces, so that the owner would subsequently pay the fine and the cost of the genetic analysis.
Picking up after our dogs and other pets is part of our responsibility. They cannot do it themselves, although surely, if they could, they would be far more respectful and civic-minded than many people. That is why it is up to us to do it. After all, we are their aristoparents. It is up to us to ensure that awareness of and respect for animals continue to grow. But to achieve that, we must also be respectful of the environment in which we live.