With an efficient taxation system, the country collects millions from dog owners and transforms the way people live with pets. Should Brazil follow suit? The model would help combat animal abandonment and improve the responsibility of owners. Read on and give your opinion!
Germany, famous for its organization, has found an innovative solution to deal with the coexistence between pets and society.
An annual tax on dog owners has transformed the reality of cities like Berlin, generating millions in revenue and bringing benefits to the control and care of animals.
But would this measure be viable in Brazil?
- Artificial Intelligence helps choose the three most profitable undergraduate courses of the next years
- New radars are installed on an important highway and catch drivers exceeding the speed limit
- The Spanish ghost town where everyone was expelled by mistake and never allowed to return!
- Employee with 20 years at the company is fired after refusing to retire at 65 — now she has won compensation
How does German tax work?
In Berlin, dog owners pay a fee of €120 per year (around R$740) per animal. Families with more than one pet face a progressive increase in this value.
The system is not exclusive to the capital: in Hamburg, for example, the rate can exceed €600 (R$3.700) for breeds considered dangerous, such as bull terriers and Neapolitan mastiffs.
According to the French newspaper The echoes, revenue from this tax has increased by 40% in the last decade. In Berlin, the city government uses these resources to regulate animal ownership and ensure public well-being.
The money is invested in controlling stray dogs, inspections and awareness campaigns.
Mandatory tracking and registration
Every dog in the city must be identified with a chip or transponder.
Initial registration costs €17,50 (around R$108), and failure to register can result in fines of up to €10 (R$62).
This requirement is part of the “Dog Tax Law,” implemented in 2001, which seeks to hold owners accountable for their animals.
The measure brought impressive results. On the streets of Berlin, it is practically impossible to find abandoned animals.
In addition, the system helps monitor the behavior of owners and dogs, such as collecting feces in public places, an infraction for which can cost between €35 and €250 (R$216 to R$1.500).
Lessons for Brazil
Although Brazil does not have similar laws, the reality here is different. The country faces serious problems of animal abandonment, with millions of dogs and cats living on the streets.
According to estimates from the Pet Brasil Institute, around 4 million dogs are in a vulnerable situation.
A creation of a tax for pets in Brazil could cause controversy, but the benefits of more organized management, as in Germany, are undeniable.
With efficient monitoring, it would be possible to reduce abandonment, hold owners accountable and even reduce public spending on rescues and shelters.
The controversy over dangerous breeds
In Germany, breeds considered aggressive, such as the Brazilian Mastiff and the Neapolitan Mastiff, face even higher taxation.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, the discussion about dangerous breeds continues to generate heated debates.
Policies like the German one could encourage owners to take extra care with large animals, preventing incidents.
However, Brazil would need to adapt the proposal to its socioeconomic reality.
In a country where a large part of the population faces financial difficulties, an annual tax could be seen as an additional burden.
Is it worth copying the German model?
The implementation of a similar tax in Brazil faces cultural and economic challenges. The high informality of pet ownership and the lack of infrastructure for inspection are considerable barriers.
On the other hand, the revenue generated could finance free neutering projects, adoption campaigns and educational programs.
Additionally, we bring The use of technology, such as identification chips, could help track animals and hold negligent owners accountable.
With adaptations, this idea has the potential to transform pet management in the country.
And you, do you agree with the idea?
Germany has proven that a pet tax can benefit both animals and society. Do you think this measure would work in Brazil? Or do you think it would be unfeasible? Share your opinion and join the discussion!
If it's for the good of the animals, I support it!
It's always the same old story... tax will be charged for the good of this or that... lies... sophistry... etc... only clueless people would fall for it.
lol they want to get rid of pets... the most senseless thing... this maintenance fee... what can I expect from the German government, always oppressing but not learning... as for the fine for abandonment, is it correct?