Besançon: dogs at the Town Hall, first edition of Besac’Animal, day dedicated to animals

The day after World Animal Day (October 4), animals were in the spotlight in Besançon this Saturday. The Besac’Animal, first edition, was held at the Town Hall. Several associations animal welfare or protection, shelters responded. A day to put animals back at the center of attention, but also to talk about certain issues.

The doggies were of course allowed to enter City Hall. A warm moment but also a little noisy! “This is a great first. There has never been a dog at city hall. I find it normal that people come with their dog“, explains Marie-Thérèse Michel, municipal councilor responsible for animal welfare, she is the one who oversees the event. The idea was also to be able to exchange ideas between associations and visitors, dog owners in particular. We estimate that there has 14,000 dogs in Besançon.

Certain issues specific to the city were addressed, says the municipal councilor, “Dog droppings are still a big problem. I would like to say to people who take animals, be responsible when taking a dog because it is heavy. You step on droppings, it’s still not very pleasant. So it’s true that it’s also sending messages like that.“ Marie-Thérèse Michel also specifies that there is 182 poop bag dispensers in Besançon.

The Bisontin Youth Council mobilized

Also involved in this special day: the Bisontin youth council. Leaflets and posters were available to the public. But the college students also distributed t-shirts made by themselves. “It’s to raise awareness about animals who are mistreated, who are considered objects, like accessories and who are abandoned“, Louise begins. “We drew a cat or a dog on the t-shirts and we wrote ‘I am not a product, I am not disposable and I am not a toy or I am not an accessory'”, explains Farès. Conferences were also organized throughout the day at City Hall.