Report From Switzerland: No More Dog Poo!

16 Apr 2008 Category: Conscientious Design, Features, Graphics, Worldwide

Report From Switzerland: No More Dog Poo!

In the Swiss town of La Chaux-de-Fonds, dogs (and their owners) have to obey the rules indicated by green or red dog-shaped objects: here, the dog is allowed to run loose, but its poo must be cleaned up. Cute art for cleaner streets!

The small Swiss town of La Chaux-de-Fonds is perhaps best known as the birthplace of famous Le Corbusier. However, picturesquely located in the Jura mountains, this peaceful town has also many dog lovers. With a population of just 37,000 inhabitants, there are as many as 2,000 dogs that excrete a staggering 600 kilograms of feces every day! To rid the clean streets of its misplaced droppings, the authorities and the art school have launched a “Dogs Mess Eradication Project” this year - enriching the town with different coloured, three-dimensional dog signs that indicate clearly if it’s a no-go zone for pets or not. PingMag talked to EAA-CIFOM student Laurent Alleman, who had proposed this idea, lecturer Christian Götz, and the authorities’ spokesperson, Rémy Gogniat.

Written by Hazuki Sekine
Translated by Natsumi Yamane

First of all, how did your anti-dog poo project begin?

Rémy: The population of La Chaux-de-Fonds is approximately 37,000 with about 2,000 registered dogs. Considering that a medium-sized dog is said to excrete around 300 grams of feces a day, it suggests that the daily amount of dogs mess in the whole town is as much as 600 kilograms. So, the authorities approached the art school to see if they had any good ideas. And the institution invited ideas from students in the form of a contest.

In a park of La Chaux-de-Fonds. The dog obviously made a new friend - and surely must have understood the rules: running loose is okay, but beware of poo!

What were the requirements for the contest?

Christian: We set out three; “The idea must be submitted in the form of printed materials such as flyers and booklets,” “It must include designs for litter boxes and litter bags” and “The idea must make the three zones – the zone where dogs can run freely, the zone where dogs must be kept on a lead and the zone where no dogs are allowed – clear to the dog owners.” We received ten applications from the graphics students. One of the ideas had designs for panels like road signs while another one suggested leaving a sign on the road like graffiti.

Why was Laurent’s idea with the art objects selected?

Christian: First, the judges consisted of professionals from diverse backgrounds such as school officials, teachers and the members of the authorities. This idea’s originality, its simple graphics and the fact that it used pink, a colour that is not usually associated with this rather delicate theme of dogs mess were significant points. Moreover, the idea of using dog-shaped objects as three-dimensional signs was extremely unique.


The dog-shaped designs stand quietly without ruining the clean sights of the Swiss city streets.

And pink is the sign! Special bins are for clearing up after your dog’s mess during your daily walk.

The “Dogs Mess Eradication Project” also includes postcards and booklets.

Laurent, what were the challenges?

Laurent: The issues of how to represent the topic of dog litter and make clear graphics that are understandable to people of all ages were quite challenging. I came up with this idea to convey the message with simple logos and the use of pop art colours. I think it became a highly entertaining project as a result!

Rémy: Initially, Laurent came up with three signs of green (dogs can run freely, but the litter must be cleared up,) red (no dogs allowed,) and orange (dogs must be kept on a lead but the litter must be cleared up.) As we were placing the objects, we realized that zones other than green and red would all have to be orange, and so the orange objects were not placed until the end. In this way, the project is proceeding with small improvements each time.

The town’s map on a leaflet. Dogs are restricted in the red zones while green zones allow dogs to run freely. However, owners are required to clear up after their pets. Even in this town with so many dog lovers, dogs are restricted from sacred places such as churches. © la Ville de la Chaux-de-Fonds

A no dogs zone with lots of red dog-shaped objects. Cute!

How did people react? And how effective, do you think, is it?

Rémy: You cannot expect an instant effect from this type of project and it is also difficult to place the dog-shaped objects in large numbers at once, so we are slowly placing them where we can. From this year, the authorities have started to issue fines up to 500 Swiss Franc for dog mess. However, we believe that no one will be fined if we can get dog owners to feel more responsible through this project. Currently, we are sending brochures to dog owners by mail.

And what do you expect from now on?

Rémy: We would really like to see the town get cleaner. The authorities commissioned this project to the art school with the hopes to improve the city’s atmosphere. And it’s our pleasure as it has also become an inspirational motivation for the students. Also, we would like to consider if this project could be utilised in other towns in Switzerland as well.


Art school lecturer Christian Götz (left) and student Laurent Alleman (right) who had the idea of the dog-shaped objects.

Local authorities’ spokesperson, Rémy Gogniat.

We look forward to seeing the streets of La Chaux-de-Fonds without any poo soon! Thank you to all of you today, and we’ll do our best to be responsible pet owners ourselves too!

72 Comments

  1. How nice! It makes the idea of picking dog poo much more pleasant.

    Posted by: otakugirl on April 16th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

  2. Great idea!! I want them too in my city Rotterdam ,Holland. I’m serious, I immediatly mailed the citycouncil with the idea…so who knows..!

    Posted by: Lisa on April 16th, 2008 at 11:52 pm

  3. That’s a cool idea! should be in italy like this…but unfortunately is like a mine field everywhere

    Posted by: Alessio on April 17th, 2008 at 11:12 am

  4. You can never really clean up the poo. There is always a residual amount. Gross!

    Posted by: Cynthia on April 18th, 2008 at 3:24 am

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  7. goood one.. love it

    Posted by: shin on April 23rd, 2008 at 5:08 am

  8. Laurent t’es une star :-)

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  10. good job!!

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