Italian City Orders Dog Owners To Wash Away Pet Urine Or Face Rs 55,000 Fine

Last Updated:May 01, 2026, 21:39 IST

Livorno orders dog walkers to rinse away pet urine in public spaces or face fines up to 500 euros, new hygiene rules apply citywide from May 20 to October 31.

Dog owners in the Italian port city of Livorno will soon be required to clean up their pets’ urine from public spaces or risk fines of up to €500 (Rs 55,000), after local authorities introduced new rules aimed at improving hygiene and reducing foul odours across the city.

The measure was announced by Livorno mayor Luca Salvetti following repeated complaints from residents about the smell of dog urine in parks, pavements and children’s play areas.

Under the new rules, dog walkers must carry water bottles or spray devices to wash down areas where their pets urinate, including pavements, benches and even the wheels of parked scooters and cars.

Dogs will also be prohibited from urinating near building entrances, windows, shops, offices and residential doorways.

In a statement, the city council said public spaces were “community property that must be protected to ensure decorum, hygiene and urban livability."

Authorities said the move was prompted by “numerous reports" from residents who complained about unpleasant odours and hygiene concerns caused by animal waste in public areas used by adults and children.

Officials also pointed to the growing number of pets in the city, particularly dogs, as a major reason behind the stricter regulations.

The rules will apply to anyone walking a dog — including pet owners and caretakers — and will remain in force from May 20 to October 31, a period considered especially problematic due to higher temperatures and reduced rainfall.

Violators could face fines ranging from €25 (Rs 3000) to €500.

Livorno already has existing rules requiring dog owners to carry equipment for cleaning up pet excrement, and local officials are authorised to conduct spot checks to ensure compliance.

The new policy comes months after authorities in Bolzano sparked controversy by proposing a dog tax, including a €1.50 nightly fee for visiting dogs and an annual €100 charge for resident dog owners to help fund street cleaning efforts.

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