Oegstgeest at Bird's eye
Stop Dog Tax – Stop Hondenbelasting *)
You may remember from my January column that an increasing number of people from other countries moved to Oegstgeest. Almost one quarter of the newcomers came from abroad. To welcome these new inhabitants, our municipality gives useful information in English on its website. A major subject appears to be dogs, as more than 400 words are addressed to dog owners. Mostly about facilities such as areas to walk the dog and ways to avoid nuisance to others. So far so good. But after the kind heading 'Welcome to Oegstgeest' it is an unpleasant surprise to learn that 'Dog owners will receive a tax declaration for the tax on dogs'. It is a surprise, because a lot of countries do not tax dog ownership. People see several pets as one category as in the saying: 'It's raining cats and dogs'.
Treat all people with pets equally as in our constitution
Dog tax was introduced in the dark ages, because dogs ate food that had to be available for people. Later, the tax was an instrument in the fight against the dangerous disease rabies. Subsequently, the tax was an early form of vehicle tax for grocers etc., who used dog carts to deliver their goods. In our lighter age these arguments are not valid anymore. Dogs as pets contribute to a healthy lifestyle, more personal security and good company to avoid loneliness. In particular because a dog is always happy when you come home; this does not hold good for all family members. Such qualities fit well in the social policy of Oegstgeest: our municipality even gives subsidies for such purposes.
So local council, stop taxing men's and women's best friends. Thereby avoiding the waste of time and money for registration, checking whether people have registered their dog and tax administration. Oegstgeest should – like neighbouring municipalities Leiden, Teylingen and Zoeterwoude – treat all people with pets equally. Thus respecting the first article of the Dutch constitution. A genuine independent municipality does not await legislation from The Hague, but makes its own decision. Though it is a minor element in the budget, it is a matter of principle.
Simon Bird
* Deze column in het Engels is bedoeld voor dorpsgenoten, die beter Engels dan Nederlands lezen en natuurlijk ook voor anderen die Engels lezen. Een Nederlandse vertaling is beschikbaar. Simon Vogel