Denia dog laws change

DENIA dog owners take note; Councillor Javier Ygarza announced the launch this month of a campaign to control the prevention and disposal of animal waste on public roads: dog excrement.

Available data says only 40 per cent of dog mess in public places are collected by their owners.

It is “a problem of public awareness that has much to do with education and citizenship” he said, adding “in a modern tourist town we can’t afford this.”

The campaign will unfold in two stages. Until mid April, local police officers will conduct a campaign of informing dog owners of the new ordinances, distributing leaflets reminding owners that pooper scoops and bags are obligatory; as well as informing them of other laws relating to dog control in terms of other nuisance issues e.g. dangerous dogs.

The second phase will focus on control and corresponding sanctions i.e. fines. The councillor pointed out that fines may reach 750 euros.

At present, the police have specific controls in place, and schedule regular patrols in parks and public roads.

Denia has now registered a total of 9,279 animals, as recorded in the IT Registry Valenciano Animal Identification (Rivia), of which 8,668 are dogs, and amongst them, 533 are considered (under Spanish law) potentially dangerous.

By Paul Deed