ZAMOR, Spain (AP) - The city of Zamor, in northwestern Spain, has decided to impose a $ 10 tax on dog owners, which will take effect next year, after being tired of financing the cost of collecting dog litter from the streets of the city, where the number of dogs exceeds the number of children.
"Dog owners have to contribute a certain amount to the city's expenses," said city tax advisor Diego Bernardo. "I know that not all people are happy with this tax, even if it is simple."
"This tax has provoked a strong reaction from citizens; some do not agree with it at all, while others have adapted themselves to this situation, and some have accepted it, and the reactions are not all negative."
The city council is expected to raise between fifty and ninety thousand euros (between $ 55,200 and $ 99,360) annually from the tax, which will be used to create areas where dogs can walk, finance their disposal, and distribute bags for this purpose.
Some cities around the world charge a similar tax, the highest in The Hague, with a tax of 120 euros ($ 133) per dog, which increases with each additional dog in the house.