City of Bocholt introduces new proof for dog tax

With the dispatch of dog tax notices at the end of January 2026, the city of Bocholt is changing the verification system and will no longer issue the previous metal tags. Instead, dog owners will receive a QR code on their notice, which will serve as proof of identity in future and can be carried either as a cut-out or conveniently as a photo on a smartphone.

Bocholt city council is replacing the previous metal sticker with a flexible solution to simplify practical use for dog owners and at the same time reduce the administrative burden. The new procedure provides for an individualised QR code to be printed on the annual tax assessment notice. This completely replaces the physical tag. Citizens now have the choice of how they want to provide proof: The QR code can be cut out of the paper notice and carried in their wallet, for example. Alternatively, it is sufficient to simply photograph the code with a smartphone and show the image when required.

A major advantage of this innovation is the ease of use in everyday life, especially in households with several people. As the QR code can simply be shared digitally as a photo, it is easy to hand over the proof. The hassle of removing and attaching a metal tag to the collar is eliminated, as is the rattling of the tag on a walk. The risk of losing the tag outside is also no longer a problem. A visit to the authorities for a replacement tag is no longer necessary.

In future, checks by the public order office will be carried out by scanning the code shown - whether on paper or on the smartphone display. This ensures that the animal's tax status is checked quickly and reliably. From a data protection perspective, the digital tag is limited to the bare essentials. Only the information relevant to the inspection, such as the name and address of the owner and the breed and sex of the animal, is stored. The data is not passed on to third parties.

If data changes, for example due to the registration of an additional dog, the process runs as usual via the city's tax office or the municipal service portal. A new tax assessment will then be sent with an updated QR code to replace the old certificate.