Vienna dog owners told to dilute pets' urine to protect trees

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 08:58 · Archive

A Vienna neighbourhood has introduced guidelines asking dog owners to rinse away their pets' urine to protect trees from damage.

The Neubau district, an up-and-coming, densely populated neighbourhood in Vienna known for its cafes and galleries, this week rolled out the Schönes Gassi (nice dog walk) campaign. The initiative aims to address the impact of the district's estimated 600 dogs on greenery, particularly around 250 trees planted over the past decade to help mitigate climate change effects.

The guidelines state that animal urine corrodes tree bark, weakening its protective layer and potentially allowing corrosive pathogens and fungi to penetrate the trunk. Fresh canine urine is highly water-soluble, so diluting it significantly reduces the concentration of ammonia and other harmful substances seeping into the soil, whilst also softening the smell.

Grätzllabor, a community group, said: 'While marking territory is a form of communication for dogs, it causes stress for urban trees. This results in rot and, in the worst case, compromised stability.' Dog owners can pick up a free 270ml water bottle at the town hall to rinse areas where their dogs have marked. The campaign, using the slogan Das Flascherl zum Sackerl (the bottle to go with the bag), is voluntary and could be expanded to other districts in Vienna.

How it is being reported

• Dog owners will have to wash their pets' urine from trees under new rules in ViennaA Vienna neighbourhood has introduced new rules that tell dog owners to wash their pets' urine from trees.Daily Mail · 16 Oct, 08:43
• Bring a bottle: Viennese dog owners told to dilute their pets’ urine to protect treesOfficials issue guidance saying the ammonia in animal urine should be watered down to stop it corroding bark A neighbourhood in Vienna has introduced guidelines for dog walking, including the use of bottled tap water to rinse away urine and protect vulnerable trees. Neubau, an up-and-coming, densely populated district dotted with cafes and galleries, rolled out the Schönes Gassi (nice dog walk) campaign this week. Continue reading...Guardian World · 15 Oct, 14:01

In this story: Vienna · Neubau · Grätzllabor · Austria

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