Newsmakers

Vienna has launched a voluntary campaign encouraging dog owners to carry water bottles and rinse away their pets’ urine from trees. The initiative aims to protect urban greenery and reduce unpleasant odours.

Dog owners in Vienna, Austria, are being encouraged to carry a bottle of water during walks and rinse away their pets’ urine from trees as part of a new campaign to protect the city’s greenery.

The initiative, called Schones Gassi, meaning “nice dog walk”, was launched in Neubau, Vienna’s seventh district. It encourages responsible pet ownership and aims to reduce the damage that dog urine can cause to trees in densely populated urban areas.

The campaign was introduced in October 2026 by the local community group Grätzllabor Neubau in collaboration with residents and local authorities.

Why Is Vienna Asking Dog Owners to Carry Water?
According to the organisers, dog urine can damage tree bark and weaken its protective layer, making trees more vulnerable to fungal infections, rot and other harmful organisms. Prolonged damage could potentially affect a tree’s stability.

The problem is particularly concerning in Neubau, where green spaces are limited and trees play an important role in providing shade, cooling streets and improving the urban environment.

The district has planted around 200 to 250 trees over the past decade, according to different local and international media reports. The campaign aims to protect these trees from avoidable damage.

Free Water Bottles for Dog Owners
As part of the initiative, dog owners can collect a free 270-millilitre water bottle from the district office. They are encouraged to carry it during walks and pour water over the area where their dogs have urinated.

Fresh dog urine is water-soluble, and adding water helps dilute ammonia and other substances that may harm vegetation and the surrounding soil. The practice can also help reduce lingering urine odours.

The campaign's slogan, “Das Flascherl zum Sackerl”, loosely translates to “the little bottle to go with the poop bag”, highlighting the importance of carrying water alongside bags used to collect dog waste.

However, the organisers have clarified that rinsing urine away should not be considered permission for dogs to urinate on trees or green spaces. The broader objective is to encourage owners to be considerate of their surroundings and guide their pets towards suitable places to relieve themselves.

Campaign Aims to Encourage Responsible Pet Ownership
Dog trainer Conny Sporrer has supported the emphasis on education, consideration and providing suitable facilities for dogs, rather than resorting to widespread restrictions on pets.

The initiative reflects a growing effort by European cities to balance the needs of pet owners with the protection of public spaces and urban greenery.

Other cities have explored similar approaches. In Berlin, for example, authorities in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district have introduced designated “pee stones” to encourage dogs to urinate on alternative surfaces rather than trees.

Vienna's campaign is voluntary, and organisers have indicated that the approach could be expanded to other districts if it proves successful.

The initiative serves as a reminder that even small changes in everyday habits can help protect urban trees, improve cleanliness and make public spaces more pleasant for residents and their pets.