Why Are There Random Water Bottles On the Sidewalk?
I occasionally see these water bottles positioned on the sidewalk, flush to the wall, in front of Maltese houses:
They have a particular purpose. I didn’t know what it was, and neither did any of our guests. I’m not sure how widespread the practice is, but it wasn’t what I expected.
Can you guess? Locals, keep your mouths shut.
UPDATE: Eoghan and others are correct–they’re apparently a defensive mechanism against wayward dogs. The Maltese folks who explained this to me weren’t sure how effective they were, but it’s interesting that it’s also a tactic used in Ireland and Japan.
October 4th, 2007 at 6:02 am
In Ireland, about 5 years ago, there was a similar trend where people would put water bottle out in their lawn. Apparently it would keep dogs from relieving themselves in your garden! God knows where that idea came from.
October 4th, 2007 at 6:33 am
when i go on a long run, i’ll hide water in the bushes along the route.. dunno if there are many marathoners in malta, but it’s my guess.
October 4th, 2007 at 6:55 am
I was thinking that it was men heading out to the pub who put those out for their return home. This way they could take a leak, drink lots of water and go home to their wives who are waiting for them with a broomstick.
The men in Ireland could have made the dog story up for this same reason. But perhaps my thinking is a bit sexist?
October 4th, 2007 at 7:37 am
In Japan, it’s to keep cats from peeing on your house or garden.
October 4th, 2007 at 8:29 am
To catch rain?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:19 am
It’s used as a weapon in case someone behind you tries to mug you.
Trust me getting hit over the head with a semi full water bottle is very painful and it will put off the mugger.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Does it have something to do with the fishermen and the palm frond pirate hats?
October 4th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Like Eoghan, I’ve seen water bottles used here in Australia for the same purpose.
Some people apparently believed it worked, although they did tend to go overboard and have bottles by the dozens lying on their precious lawns.
I havn’t seen it done for years though.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I tend to buy the dog pee theory, as houses built of limestone and other rock materials could be damaged or stained by this.
October 4th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Perhaps it’s to protect against rabid dogs? Being hydrophobic, there’s nothing they fear more than a big bottle of water!
October 5th, 2007 at 12:30 am
It’s a complete fallacy that it keeps animals from defecating or urinating, This was proven in a Discovery channel Documentary that was on not so long ago.
I like the idea of a pisshead using it as a “Re-fuel” on water before returning home, because if you are using it to stop the animals going to the toilet, you are very VERY sorely mistaken.
(and even idiots here in New Zealand STILL put bottles of water out on the lawn. IDIOTS I tell you !)
October 5th, 2007 at 7:45 am
I have seen this done on for a long time on both US coasts. Most of the time a 1 gallon milk jug was used. I was always told it keeps cats and dogs from peeing on the house. I know for a fact it does not work. Dogs and cats will pee whenever and wherever they please.
October 5th, 2007 at 7:54 am
I really can’t see this working at all! My dog (male)would pee on the bottle as he loves to go on anything vertical. Either that or he would steal the water bottle as a plaything - another favorite pasttime of his.
October 5th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Same here in Argentina. People think they keep dogs away. Have my doubts.
October 5th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
if the water bottles were empty, i’d say that my boyfriend left them because he’s too lazy to put it in the trash. but if they are full, then i have no idea. :)
October 6th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Believe it or not it is to keep cats from peeing on your property. When we were in Malta I also wondered what these bottles full of water were for. We asked and were told that it is to discourage cats from peeing. Months later back home in Canada I was listeneing to Mark Cullen’s garden show here in Toronto and Mark said that apparently when cats see these bottles full of water they go to do their business somewhere else because instinctively they do do want to contaminate what they perceive as a source of drinking water.
October 6th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
It’s also happens like all over the country Thailand. Since there are still so many stray dogs wandering around streets. They do believe this idea works. Most of them would put bottles like that every 50 cm. along the perimeter of there houses. Looks weird to me though.
November 15th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
I though it was to dissuade cats and dogs from peeing on people’s sidewalks
November 18th, 2007 at 9:06 am
I JUST WALKED MY DOG AND FOR THE FIRST TIME I SAW WATER BOTTLES ALONG THE ROUTE WE TAKE. MY DOG DID RELIEVED HIMSELF ON ONE. I GOT ON THE COMPUTER AS SOON AS I GOT HOME TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE ON THE NET FOR THIS SUBJECT AND FOUND THIS SITE. TO THIS END I CAN ATTEST THAT IT DOES NOT WORK TO PUT OUTSUCH BOTTLES.
January 15th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Great pictures!
As for the bottles, anything that works ;) Good dog owners will “read” the bottle’s purpose and stop their pets from relieving themselves on someone’s home.
In California I use a more direct approach. I rarely have to use it but when I notice a dog owner (not the dog) starting to form this habit, I temporarily put out a sign that says:
Please, yes you, drain your pet elsewhere.
August 30th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
A year ago, our Hispanic landscaper sent me off to buy 10 clear glass bottles to fill with water and place around our newly-planted lawns–allegedly to keep dogs from defacating near the water bottles. I have yet to have to pick up any poop.