Minor adjustments to dog policy, dog tax remains
The new dog policy seeks to reduce nuisance and increase clarity. After a process of many deliberations, the City Council chose to maintain dog walking lanes. There will be fenced off-leash areas only when safety requires it. Every five years, dog walking lanes and off-leash areas are checked for signage and replaced or expanded as necessary.
Clean up duty and dog waste vacuum
The dog poop vacuum will clean the (fenced) off-leash areas, which are within the built-up area, as well as the dog walking lanes. A general leash obligation applies. Only within the off-leash areas is there an exception to this.
All public areas are subject to a dog poop cleanup obligation, with the exception of (fenced) off-leash areas and dog walking lanes. Therefore, more litter bins with dispensers (waste bags) will be facilitated to motivate and support the clean-up duty. There will be frequent and active enforcement of dog waste cleanup where cleanup is mandatory.
Clear communication
Communication about this new policy is going to be clear and repeated annually. A readable map will be published through municipal channels, showing dog walking lanes and off-leash areas. How this will be put into practice will be worked out in more detail. Alderman Hans van der Laar: "The dog tax for the coming year will remain at the same level. We calculate what the new policy will cost in the long run. Dog owners can influence the level of the tax with their behavior."