Paris City Hall released a report yesterday claiming that while Paris contained 190,000 canine inhabitants in 2002 there are only 147,000 today. This report was based on 4,000 households.

The wealthiest neighborhoods of the 16th and 8th arrondissements in the west of the city still have the largest dog  populations.

Why the decline?  Most likely it has to do with the clampdown by the  city council against owners who allow their animals to leave their “crottes” on the sidewalks, officials said. Offenders of the new rules now risk on-the-spot fines.