no :

Dog Tax

Aki :

　Dogs are one of the most popular pets in Japan.// They are clever and loyal/to their owners.// They can make their owners and some passersby/happy.// On the other hand,/it is true/that many complaints are made about dogs.// For example,/dogs bark loudly/and might bite someone,/which can make the neighbors scared.// Also,/when irresponsible owners walk their dogs,/they often leave the dogs’ waste/on the sidewalk.// What is worse,/there are even owners/who don’t take care of their dogs/or who abandon them/for selfish reasons.// Thus,/some measures need to be taken/to promote owners’ responsibility.//
　In fact,/some cities in Germany and the Netherlands/have a dog tax.// The owners must pay around 100 euros/for a dog per year,/depending on where they live.// If the owners have a second dog,/they must pay more than 100 euros/for that dog.// With this taxation,/people are cautious about having a dog,/which can make owners more responsible.//
　In Japan,/there used to be a dog tax/in some cities until 1982.// Today,/the number of complaints about dogs/is increasing.// So/some mayors are thinking about adopting the tax/to respond to such complaints.//
　What are your thoughts about a dog tax?// Should such a tax be imposed/in our city?//

Bob :

　I think/a dog tax is necessary.// With the money collected from it,/the local government can take direct measures/against complaints.// For example,/regarding loud barking,/the government can provide owners/with education programs/on how to discipline their dogs.// As for discarded waste,/the government can place bags and trash cans/on streets.// In addition,/the tax can be used/for protecting dogs’ rights.// For instance,/the government can build a facility/to take care of abandoned dogs.// It can help the dogs/be adopted by new owners.// When dogs are abused,/actions to rescue them/can also be taken smoothly.//

Chika :

　I don’t think/we need a dog tax.// First,/it’s too difficult for the local government/to collect the tax accurately.// To avoid the tax,/some owners may abandon their dogs/or may not register them/with the city.// This is one of the reasons/why some cities in Japan/did away with a dog tax.// Furthermore,/black markets may become popular,/where dogs are sold and bought illegally.// Those unregistered dogs can’t get proper immunizations,/which creates an unhealthy environment for them.// Also,/what if dog owners can’t afford the tax?// They might lose their jobs,/or the amount of tax imposed/might increase dramatically in the future.// If that happened to dog owners,/they could not afford their dogs.// Again,/such owners would abandon their dogs.//

Daisuke :

　I think/imposing a tax on owners/is necessary.// The tax prevents them/from owning too many dogs.// The other day,/the TV news reported on a person/who kept over 100 dogs.// The living environment of the dogs/was terrible.// The neighbors said on TV/that they were annoyed with the smell and noise.// If there had been a dog tax,/the person might have hesitated/to own so many dogs.// In general,/when owners have a limited number of dogs,/they can take better care of them.// As a result,/the dogs’ quality of life/will be improved.//

Eri :

　I see your point,/but I want to emphasize/that the tax is unfair.// Dog owners may wonder/why taxation applies only to dogs,/not to all kinds of pets.// I believe/that paying only a consumption tax/is fair.// All pet owners pay a consumption tax/when they buy a pet itself, pet food, and pet insurance,/to name a few.// That’s enough.// A dog tax isn’t necessary.//

Aki :

　Well,/thanks for thinking critically/about a dog tax.// Your discussion gave me a lot of new perspectives.// In particular,/I like the idea/of improving the dogs’ quality of life.// I’d like to hear more opinions.// So/let’s continue our discussion.//