Rover-tourism row: Italian province considers tax on visiting dogs

The proceeds from the tax are intended to be used in part to rid streets of dog poo. Photograph: Guerilla/Getty Images

An Italian animal rights group has criticised plans in a northern province to charge a “tourist tax” for dogs as “pure madness”.

Authorities in Bolzano, in the mountainous Trentino-Alto Adige region, have proposed charging €1.50 a night for dogs visiting the province and €100 a year per dog for resident dog owners.