British expats are warned as a new rule over clearing up dog mess in Spain’s most popular area for the UK visitors has already seen hundreds of fines issued.
The Costa del Sol – home to the largest number of British expats in Spain – has brought in the new year with new regulations demanding dog owners clean up after their pets. 206 fines have already been issued in Torremolinos, the gateway to Costa del Sol.
The fines, which can reach as high as €500 (£427) all relate to the cleaning up of dog waste. However, it’s not just faeces that dog owners need to be aware of.
The new regulations also require owners to wash away their dog’s urine with soapy water if they go in public.
Commenting on the figures, Torremolinos City Council called for “greater responsibility on behalf of all pet owners”.
It said urine can have a “corrosive effect” on street furniture, as well as buildings and vehicles.
As a result, all dog owners will now need to carry a bottle of soapy water during walks with their furry friends, so that they can wash away the animal’s urine.
The fines range from €75 (£64) to €500 (£427), depending on both how severe the offence is, and whether the perpetrator is a repeat offender.
The municipality of Rincón de la Victoria, on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol, has introduced similar laws this February. The town hall has been giving away bottles as well as bags to pick up excrement.
The local authority is also asking owners to make sure that their pets’ DNA is registered with the town hall, so that they can match any faeces left out with the dog’s owner.
Mayor of Rincon de la Victoria Francisco Salado said: “These measures will mean an improvement in the streets”.
He added that the importance of registering dogs can also help to “avoid the fraudulent use of microchips, thefts and abandonment”.
