“Nobody cares about your dog’s poo,” that’s the deliberately blunt message behind a new campaign in Benitatxell designed to tackle one of the most common complaints in towns across Spain: pet owners who fail to clean up after their dogs.
With the slogan, the town hall hopes to encourage more responsible behaviour while keeping streets, parks and public spaces cleaner for everyone.
A campaign designed to grab attention
To get the message across, the departments of Urban Waste and Municipal
Services have launched a colourful awareness campaign featuring Globi, a balloon dog character, alongside a smiling cartoon poo emoji.
The council believes the direct approach will catch people’s attention and encourage dog owners to take greater responsibility for their pets.
As a result, officials hope to reduce the amount of dog waste left in public areas and improve the appearance of the municipality.
More bins and practical support
However, the campaign involves much more than posters and slogans.
The council has started installing new dog waste bins in key locations across the town. In addition, residents will see information boards and leaflets explaining their responsibilities as pet owners.
Meanwhile, the municipality will distribute special bottles that allow owners to dilute dog urine with water. Many councils across Spain now promote this simple measure to help reduce stains and unpleasant odours on pavements and public spaces.
Residents can also visit an information stand at the weekly market on 17 June to learn more about the initiative and collect campaign materials.
Dog owners face substantial fines
Alongside the awareness campaign, the town hall has reminded residents that
local regulations require owners to pick up dog waste, clean urine and keep dogs under control in public spaces.
Anyone who ignores these rules could face significant penalties.
For example, authorities can issue fines for leaving dog waste behind, failing to clean urine or allowing dogs to roam freely. In the most serious cases, penalties can reach several thousand euros.
In addition, local regulations require owners to use leads no longer than two metres when walking their dogs in public areas.
Encouraging respect
The council will support the campaign with a promotional video across its social media channels and municipal platforms.
Although enforcement remains important, local officials say education and awareness are the main goals of the initiative.
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