Dog Waste in Elche Costs as Much as a Month's Mortgage

Elche City Council, through the Department of Health and in collaboration with UTE Elche, has launched a new awareness campaign about the obligation of pet owners to collect waste in public areas.

The campaign 'The Most Expensive Poop Ever' aims to "remind citizens, in a fun and light-hearted way, of the obligation to pick up any pet waste as failing to do so results in a hefty fine," stated the area councilor, Inma Mora.

The highest range stipulated by the municipal cleaning ordinance in these cases reaches 750 euros, and the campaign reflects "a parallel with the price increase due to high inflation in recent years," indicated Mora.

David Sevilla, Communication Director of Savour and responsible for the campaign's creation, explained that "the aim is for the message to reach people, and that's why we do it in such a fun way." Additionally, the campaign involves keeping the city clean, with the main claim being 'Take care of your city and don't mess it up.' "The campaign is based on a parallel with the daily cost of things, the price increase, and the comparison of the maximum fine value with what a month's rent or mortgage payment might cost," assured Sevilla.

Meanwhile, Alberto Bleda, manager of UTE Elche, thanked the initiative to raise awareness of the obligation to keep the city clean and tidy and took the opportunity to ask pet owners to "train their animals not to urinate on building facades or doors or on the city's urban furniture."

Finally, the Health Councilor called on citizens to also register their pets, "something they are obliged to do." She explained that anyone can do this at the Department of Health by presenting the animal's documentation and paying the 20-euro fee. After registration, the pet owner will receive a dispenser for waste bags.