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Shocking controls in Berlin: public order offices take action against dog excrement!
Public order offices in Marzahn-Hellersdorf carry out checks against dog feces to remind dog owners of their duties.
Shocking controls in Berlin: public order offices take action against dog excrement!
In Berlin, the public order offices are in particular focus this week as they carry out extensive checks to remove dog excrement. These measures run from Monday to Sunday and are carried out by both uniformed and plainclothes emergency services. The inspectors are active in heavily polluted areas, especially in the city's many green spaces, to remind dog owners of their responsibility.
Dog owners who fail to clean up their four-legged friend's dog feces must expect a fine of 55 euros. In serious cases, the fines can even be up to 10,000 euros. This is part of a new catalog of fines that was approved by the Berlin Senate. Fines of between 100 and 350 euros are stipulated for not removing dog excrement or leaving dog excrement bags lying around, which represents a significant increase in the previous fines.
The health risks
Dog feces can contain a variety of bacteria, germs and worms that have the potential to transmit disease to humans and animals. This is particularly worrying because dogs, as carnivores, are often carriers of such diseases. Dog excrement also has negative effects on the environment: it pollutes soils and groundwater and contributes to the over-fertilization of tree discs with phosphorus and nitrogen.
Berlin's streets produce between 55 and 60 tons of dog feces every day, creating a serious problem for city sanitation, which describes the situation as a "brown avalanche." According to current statistics, over 131,000 dogs are registered in Berlin. This results in an estimated 252,000 dog poop that needs to be disposed of every day. The number of dogs registered for tax purposes rose from 111,024 in 2019 to 131,440 at the end of 2023.
Regional differences and rights of dog owners
The regulations for the disposal of dog excrement in Germany are a matter for the states and vary greatly. In Berlin, for example, there is a fine of 35 euros for leaving dog feces in public places. In comparison, the fines in other federal states are different:-
| Federal State | Fine (€) |
|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 25 – 150 |
| Bavaria | 20 – 150 |
| Brandenburg | 10 – 20 |
| Bremen | 35 – 70 |
| Hamburg | 30 – 100 |
| Lower Saxony | 50 – 100 |
In many municipalities, different fines can also be imposed. The obligation to dispose of dog waste in public places applies to all dog owners. Anyone who repeatedly disregards this must expect further consequences. Even in private areas, dog mess in the garden can lead to disputes between neighbors.
The Berlin public order offices are therefore working intensively to inform citizens about the applicable rules and to encourage them to comply with the regulations. In particular, the unpleasant burden caused by the high number of dog poop in the green spaces leads to an increased need for action to ensure both the health of the population and the cleanliness of the city. Further information on the regulations and fines can be found in the Bußgeldkatalog.