Italian Town Offers Tax Breaks for Dog Adoptions

A progressive town in Italy has landed on a novel way form of tax breaks set to benefit both humans and canines.  Councillors in Mascalucia, near the eastern city of Catania in Sicily have unanimously approved plans to offer up to 50 per cent off of refuse charges for residents who give shelter dogs a new home. The attractive rates will apply for up to three years after the dog is re-homed. The council is said to spend in the region of €150,000 per year looking after stray and abandoned animals, local authorities are hoping money will be saved in the long run. But the most important benefit of the scheme, according to council member Alessio Cardi, is:  "To give a safe place to a little dog which, in all likelihood, will be able to shrug off the burden of a difficult past."