Italian region wants to charge residents and tourists a fee for dogs

The Italian province of Bolzano, in the far north of the country, announced that it intends to charge a fee on dogs from 2026.

The bill provides 100 euros (approximately R$643) per year for residents with dogs and 1,5 euros per day for tourists' dogs. The money will be used for urban cleaning and dedicated areas for the animals.

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Animal protection associations criticized the proposal. "This action not only penalizes families and tourists who choose to travel with their dogs, but also sends a deeply flawed message: turning animals into ATMs," said Carla Rocchi, president of Enpa – the National Animal Protection Association.

The International Organization for the Protection of Animals (IOPA) warned that the measure could drive away tourists. The organization believes the solution lies in enforcement and fines, not new charges.

Bolsonaro had already created mandatory DNA testing for dogs in 2022, but less than half of the animals are registered.