Palma launches an awareness campaign for clean streets and responsible pet ownership

Information, bags, and a bit of push: Palma's new campaign for dog owners

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As you headed today toward s'Escorxador, you could see stands, staff in orange vests, and a small line of four-legged barkers. The municipal waste company Emaya has launched a campaign to make the rules around keeping dogs in Palma even more visible. Goal: less litter, more consideration — and practical help for daily life.

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What is being offered?

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At several locations around the city — starting at the former slaughterhouse s'Escorxador — teams are setting up information points until the end of October. There are free dog poop bag dispensers, small bottles for cleaning urine from lampposts, and brochures with the duties every pet owner should know. Those who stop by often also get short tips: how to plan a walk so that playgrounds stay clean, or which times are suitable for longer dog walks.

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The stands are deliberately low-threshold: they often open in the morning around 9 a.m. and again late in the afternoon, so working people can stop by. Emaya staff and some volunteers answer questions with minimal paperwork — you can quickly get informed and take something home.

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What happens in case of violations?

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The city reminds that not only petitions and appeals apply: those who do not remove dog poop or deliberately dirty spots must expect fines. The possible penalties can reach up to a four-figure sum in extreme cases. That's not new, but apparently necessary — residents have been complaining for years about littered paths and plots.

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Personally, I noticed today how mixed the reactions are: many greeted and took a bag, some looked skeptical, two elderly women debated larger dog meadows in their neighborhood. These small scenes show: rules are one thing, a sense of community another.

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Practical advice for dog owners

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A few simple tips mentioned at the stands: always carry spare bags, have a small brush or wet wipe for wet days, do not simply deposit poop bags by the roadside, but throw them in public trash bins. If you organize a meeting point with other dog owners, you should clearly communicate that everyone cleans up afterwards — that works better more often than single criticism.

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In the end it's a mix of information, small aids and inspections. The campaign will run for several more weeks; anyone who wants can drop by. I was at s'Escorxador around 11:30 a.m., I got a bag and met two neighbors. Not a grand revolution, but a solid start.