An Alpine region of Italy has sparked outrage after suggesting a "dog tax" should be introduced for tourists.
Local authorities in South Tyrol, the autonomous region of the Dolomites, argue the money will be used to benefit cainines.
The council proposes a fee equivalent to £1.30 per day per animal.
They suggest funds will be directed to create dog parks and improve street cleaning to ensure dog poo is not left on pavements and in parks.
Tourist taxes are used in both Italy and Britain, but do not apply to dogs.
Luis Walcher, the councillor who is pushing for the dog tax, claims that dog poo in the streets of Bolzano is a "serious problem".
He argues that it is only fair that dog owners be charged to clear up the mess.
The proposals are still under discussion, and it is not yet clear exactly how the tax would be collected from dog owners.
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An Alpine region of Italy has sparked outrage after suggesting a 'dog tax' should be introduced for tourists
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The Italian Association for the Defence of Animals and the Environment has threatened to launch "civil disobedience actions" if the scheme is approved.
The association described the proposal as "pure madness".
Claudio Corrarati, the mayor of Bolzano, adds that the proposal "risks presenting a negative image for a province that has always been dog-friendly".
Carla Rocchi, the head of an animal rights group called ENPA, told the Telegraph that the tax would "not only penalise families and tourists who choose to travel with their dogs, but also send the wrong message, turning animals into a fiscal ATM [cash machine]”.
Local authorities in South Tyrol, the autonomous region of the Dolomites, argue the money will be used to benefit cainines
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Piera Rosati, the president of another animal welfare organisation, LNDC Animal Protection, said the proposal was "politically myopic”.
Tourist taxes aim at generating revenue from the tourism industry.
In Italy, Venice has two tourist taxes: An "Access Fee" for day trips during busy periods and a "City Tax" for overnight stays, both under £5 per day.
In April 2023, Manchester became the first city in the UK to introduce a "tourist tax" set at £1 per room, per night, raising approximately £2.8m in its first year.
Tourist taxes aim at generating revenue from the tourism industry
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South Tyrol is a popular holiday destination for Britons in the winter for skiing and in the summer for hikers due to its scenic limestone peaks.
In addition to the new tourist tax, locals are under threat of having to pay to own pets in the region.
Authorities also want to revive an arrangement, which was in force until 2008, under which inhabitants of the province will be charged £87.41 for each pet dog they own, in a further effort to boost street-cleaning services.
Fines will also be increased for owners who do not pick up their pets' waste.
In the UK, fines for dog fouling are typically dependent on the local authority and range from £50 to £100.