Move to Reinstate Tax Abolished in 2008
Annual Fee of 100 Euros Per Dog Proposed
Civic Groups and Others Oppose the Tax Bill
A small city in Italy is pushing for a tax on pet dogs, sparking a heated debate over the proposal.
On September 26, Yonhap News, citing a report from The New York Times, stated that the city council of Bolzano, a small city in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of northern Italy, has introduced a bill to impose a "dog tax" on both tourists and residents with pet dogs starting next year. The bill would require tourists visiting Bolzano with their dogs to pay a daily fee of about 1.5 euros (approximately 2,400 won), while residents would be required to pay an annual fee of 100 euros (about 164,000 won) per dog. This measure revives a tax that was abolished in Bolzano in 2008.
The proliferation of dog waste on the streets has been cited as the main reason behind the new bill. City councilor Luis Walcher, who proposed the bill, described it as a "serious problem," and officials stated that the tax revenue would be used for street cleaning and the creation of dog parks. If the bill passes, the current mandatory "dog DNA testing" system in Bolzano will be abolished. Two years ago, Bolzano made DNA testing mandatory to track dog waste, dogs hit by cars, and dogs that attacked people or other dogs. However, due to the high cost of testing, only 12,000 out of the city’s 30,000 pet dogs were registered. Despite this, there is strong opposition. Carla Rocchi, president of the Italian animal rights group ENPA, criticized the bill, saying, "This law not only punishes families and tourists who travel with their dogs, but also sends the wrong message by turning animals into ATMs."
Debate Over Pet Ownership Tax in South Korea as Well
The United States, Canada, and some European countries already impose taxes on pet ownership. In Germany, dog owners pay an annual tax of 120 to 180 euros (about 170,000 to 260,000 won) as a form of local tax. As a result, debate over the introduction of a pet ownership tax has continued in South Korea for several years. The government maintains a cautious stance, considering it premature, but citizens and animal rights organizations are already divided, each raising their voices in support or opposition.
Proponents argue that a new source of funding is needed to cover the increasing costs associated with the growing number of pets. They also emphasize that funds to implement the government’s roadmap for banning dog meat consumption should come from this tax. In particular, some predict that if a pet ownership tax is introduced, only those who can afford to pay the tax will keep animals, which could reduce the number of abandoned dogs and cats. On the other hand, opponents worry that the introduction of a pet ownership tax could lead to an increase in abandoned animals due to tax avoidance. Some also point out that the government is attempting to impose a tax without first addressing the issue of animal health insurance.
Debate has been ongoing for several years regarding the introduction of a pet ownership tax in South Korea. Although the government maintains a cautious stance, considering it premature at this time, citizens and animal rights groups are already divided, each raising their voices in support or opposition. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@
The principle of beneficiary pays is the main rationale for introducing a pet ownership tax, especially given the rapid increase in the pet population. According to government statistics, the proportion of people in South Korea who own pets rose from 17.9% in 2012 to 28.6% in 2024. The number of pet dogs is estimated at about 4.99 million, while the number of pet cats is about 2.77 million.
As the number of pets increases, various related incidents have also risen. According to the National Fire Agency, the number of people hospitalized due to dog bites increased from 2,154 cases in 2019 to 2,216 cases in 2022. The social costs associated with animal abandonment are also on the rise. The operating costs of local government animal protection centers increased from 20 billion won in 2018 to 29.4 billion won in 2022, an increase of nearly 50%. In addition, tax revenue is used to cover the costs of pet waste disposal. Ultimately, the core logic behind the introduction of a pet ownership tax is that those who keep pets should bear these costs. This is the so-called "beneficiary pays principle," meaning those who benefit should pay the expenses.
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