Dangerous dogs - a worldwide issue
by Verite Reily Collins
An update on the status of breed bans in Germany and worldwide
"It boggles the mind" says Rita Benner from Germany, on the latest news concerning German Breed Specific Laws (BSL).
Those of you who met Rita on the DOMINO stand at Crufts will be delighted to hear that High Courts in Schleswig Holstein and Niedersachsen have declared BSL null and void. However, there is a sting in the tail. Judges said it was illegal to single out certain breeds without taking into account dogs of similar size, weight and aggression potential. So wouldn't you know it – politicians have decided in the name of equality to include breeds such as GSDs, which were originally excluded.
"At first I thought this was a terrible decision", says Rita, "but then I started to laugh. Can you imagine how many more people would be active campaigners if the GSD would be included?" This might make the German Kennel Club more active.
Meanwhile, is it 'out of sight – out of mind?' asks our Kennel Club's Staffordshire Bull Terrier Liaison Officer David Levy. "Doubtless the German politicians are hoping that the British and world public will eventually forget about their persecution of dog owners and their pets". The German proposal to the EU for anti-dog legislation across Europe is still on the table and probably won't change, whatever happens at home.
Recently pro-dog campaigners could have received a set-back with the recent tragic death of an eleven year old girl from Lutzhorn, Hamburg, killed by a GSD. Dog World carried the story, which seems to have had more attention in Britain than in Germany. Every accident is tragic, and one would wish it never happened at all. But the very fact that is was considered newsworthy shows how infrequently this type of incident occurs.
The DOMINO campaign
In Britain the Kennel Club's DOMINO campaign to alert dog owners is gathering momentum, and at Petplanet.co.uk we are receiving requests from Veterinary Surgeries asking what they can do to inform owners. As a result, we have worked with the DOMINO campaign to create a simple poster, laying out the facts and what you can do to help. As we go to press, the poster is going into production, so watch this space for details on how to obtain a copy!
Veterinary Nurses have said they are keen to help as many remember when the Dangerous Dogs Act came in to force here in the UK. One told me "I particularly remember one bitch whose owner had been harassed (stones thrown, threats to harm the dog) to the point where her owner had her put down because he couldn't rehome her somewhere safer, and he was afraid to leave her alone in the house. The dog licked my hand through her muzzle as the needle went in and by the time it was over everyone concerned was in tears at the loss of such a bonnie dog."
So alert everyone you know to act. As Levy says, "DOMINO Dogs by its very name aims to point out that unchecked, these laws could spread from breed to breed and country to country. We have already seen German states looking to add further breeds to their banned lists, and many other countries considering, if not following, the German lead."
"It is vital all dog owners continue to campaign directly to our own politicians, European commissioners and German authorities to ensure that the true value of dog companionship is recognised. Any laws to control dangerous animals (must be) based solely on the behaviour of dogs and their owners and not merely the colour of their skin or shape of their skull."
What’s happening in other countries?
The story around Europe is good and bad. Some countries propose changing their laws, others have decided to adopt the Kennel Club's stance: punish the deed not the breed.
Believe it or not, if you go to Ireland with a Bulldog, Staffie, GSD, Akita, Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Tosa or Pit Bull, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1991 say the dog has to be muzzled. But talking to owners, they say that provided their dogs are under control, this doesn't seem to be a problem. For more information phone the Irish Tourist Board 08000 397 000.
Austria has taken our Kennel Club's view and sees control of dogs as very much the responsibility of the owner. If a dog causes death by biting, the owner receives three years in prison. A simple bite will warrant a fine and/or six months in prison.
The French Ministry of Agriculture has decided Staffordshire Bull Terriers will NOT become a banned breed in France. However, at the Newfoundland Water Trials last month owners were extremely worried at what restrictions might be placed on larger breeds.
Sensibly, a Swiss proposal for BSL was recently rejected by their Parliament. In Sweden they are more concerned about legislation in relation to wolf crosses and breeds closely related to the wolf, but Portugal has legislation on the stocks which will concern Doberman, Staffie, Boxer, Rottweiler and GSD owners. Proposals are before the Portuguese Parliament to muzzle certain breeds – watch this space.
If you have interests in the Netherlands have a look at a long letter on
www.xs4all.nl from the Minister of Agriculture, Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, to the Chairman of the Standing Committee for Agriculture. It seems sensible, until one small paragraph discusses extending a national ban 'to other types of dog' with the chilling suggestion "to this end I will ask experts, if possible from the EU, to advise me."
Recently Eva Busse, writing in Germany's influential newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung surmised that 'Move to ban Attack Dogs has Lost its Bite'. Anomalies range from the State of Saarland where only three breeds are considered dangerous, to Nord Rhine-Westphalia where the public apparently face 'danger' from 42 types of dog. In some German states these dogs must undergo a personality test; fail this and the dog could be put down. In Hamburg you face a fine of £40,000 if your dog is on the register and goes out without a muzzle.
All this has had an effect – but perhaps not what the legislators bargained for. So many 'aggressive' dogs have been handed in by owners that State funds have had to be increased to foot the bill to look after them. According to Busse, the upshot is that "last year’s sense of urgency has given way to foot-dragging", with local administrative courts testing the legality of hasty decrees, and handing down contradictory rulings.
Tellingly, the German Animal Welfare Society points out that any dog can be trained to attack, and banning certain breeds could encourage criminals to use other breeds. And the German Association for Dogs' Character is looking for "serious dog owners without a criminal record" to challenge Judges' rulings.
The country to watch could be Denmark as their Government feels current legislation is inadequate. Andrina Morton, a Glasgow Staffie owner and BSL campaigner writes "The Ministry of Justice is considering whether or not to ban other breeds, or to adopt a different approach altogether, since many of the problems with dangerous dogs seem to be directly related to the specific circumstances under which the dogs are kept". Remember, it was Denmark, and only Denmark, that got 'duty free' abolished. All other 14 EU countries wanted to keep privileges, but the Danish Commissioner voted NO, so every other EU country was obliged to ban duty free between EU states.
One hopes the Danish Commissioner will see sense this time, but everyone must keep up the pressure. Unfortunately for 'Duty Free', when Tony Blair finally decided to act it was too late. European countries look to Britain for leadership within the EU, and there is no doubt that we have influence because of our massive EU contributions. So British dog owners must ensure our politicians know what we think. After you have written to your MP and MEP, alert friends abroad, get them to write to their MEPs and politicians, and suggest they keep a watching brief on what is going on in their country.
For news of what is happening in other countries, see
www.staffordmall.com and watch out for 'Deadly Dogs', a TV programme scheduled for broadcast on Sunday, 9th September, 8pm on Channel5.
? Cause I really wanted to go outside today and play in my sandbox. Yes bkkd go on outside she's a good doggy and besides she's on a leash while out. Then I'll lock her up in the basement, I don't want to frighten you.
