Zero tolerance… Bergerac, capital of the very touristic Périgord Pourpre, wants to be “clean and welcoming”. She has just created a fine of up to 750 euros for any dog owner who does not pick up his animal’s droppings in the public space.
“It is up to the mayor to ensure public safety and health”, explains in the preamble this decree of April 11 published on the website of the town hall held by the DVD Jonathan Prioleaud.
“A real plague”
“People accompanied by a dog are obliged to proceed immediately, by any appropriate means, to the collection of the droppings of this animal” in the streets, parks and gardens, stipulates the decree, which specifies that any offense is liable a “fourth class contravention” of up to 750 euros according to the Penal Code.
“It is also good to be in possession of at least two collection bags during daily walks. A fine of up to 38 euros will be applied otherwise, “says the town hall’s website, stressing however that these bags are distributed free of charge.
“I think this is probably the highest level of fine at the national level”, commented Loïc Dombreval, LREM deputy for the Alpes-Maritimes, specialist in animal issues. “Dog droppings can be a real scourge in some municipalities, and this ends up stigmatizing dogs and their owners in particular,” he added.