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The Act of Dogs of the Land
Nordrhein-Westfalen (Germany) went into effect on July 6, 2000. As of
this time, thousands of dog owners are required to register their
animals, obtain a certificate of reliability, microchip their dog, and
purchase liability insurance. This law applies to all dogs that reach a
height of 40 cm (15.7 inches) or weigh at least 20 kg (44 pounds),
regardless of breed and including mixed breed. This registration also
extends to any breed of dog that is defined as a "dangerous dog" or a
"fighting dog." These definitions explicitly name 42 separate breeds,
and extends to any mixed breed relative. This single piece of
legislation effectively restricts, and/or outlaws, ownership of
thousands of dogs on the assumption that they are all a threat to human
welfare.
Other German states have also adopted harsh anti-dog laws, and hundreds
of dogs have already been exterminated for the crime of being of the
wrong breed. Some states require dogs to pass a "socialization" exam
for registration, based on its breed. However, many dogs of mixed breed
are hard to classify this way, and owners fear the results will be
disastrous due to the
The Act of Dogs of the Land Nordrhein-Westfalen
(Germany) went into effect on July 6, 2000. As of this time, thousands
of dog owners are required to register their animals, obtain a
certificate of reliability, microchip their dog, and purchase liability
insurance. This law applies to all dogs that reach a height of 40 cm
(15.7 inches) or weigh at least 20 kg (44 pounds), regardless of breed
and including mixed breed. This registration also extends to any breed
of dog that is defined as a "dangerous dog" or a "fighting dog." These
definitions explicitly name 42 separate breeds, and extends to any
mixed breed relative. This single piece of legislation effectively
restricts, and/or outlaws, ownership of thousands of dogs on the
assumption that they are all a threat to human welfare.
Other German states have also adopted harsh anti-dog laws, and hundreds
of dogs have already been exterminated for the crime of being of the
wrong breed. Some states require dogs to pass a "socialization" exam
for registration, based on its breed. However, many dogs of mixed breed
are hard to classify this way, and owners fear the results will be
disastrous due to the lack of qualified examiners. Rumors abound about
dog owners being attacked in the streets and the elderly living in fear
of walking their pets. These laws remain in effect in spite of the
massive demonstrations and the flood of protest against them.
The harshness of the German laws is a knee-jerk response to a tragic
attack that caused the death of a child. The fact of the matter is that
these new laws were actually unnecessary. Laws were already in place
stating that these particular dogs should have been leashed and
muzzled. The problem lies in the German authority’s lack of
enforcement. A breed ban is far easier to enforce than a leash law.
Breed specific legislation can be found virtually everywhere.
Generally, these acts are based on local news stories of dog bites. The
public demands security, and an easy fix is found in making particular
breeds either restricted or illegal. Unfortunately, these laws do very
little to address the actual problem of aggressive or nuisance dogs.
Any dog can bite, regardless of breed. It is the responsibility of
owners to ensure that their animal is safe in public, and not a threat
to the lives or property of other people. Outlawing any particular
breed only serves to destroy the reputable breeders and owners, and
does little to encourage responsibility. The people who desire an
aggressive dog will simply choose another breed.
Anti-dog laws have cropped up around the globe for many years, often
under the pretense of animal welfare. The European Convention for the
Protection of Pet Animals outlaws breeding dogs and cats for particular
characteristics, citing that these characteristics are prone to health
problems. While this may sound reasonable on the surface, a deeper look
reveals that what is considered to be a genetic defect is a lack of
hair on a hairless breed, as the animal is prone to chill. Folded skin
on a basset hound is discouraged because this may predispose the dog to
eczema. Also undesirable are traits such as long ears on a cocker
spaniel due to ear discomfort, dominant white genes which may promote
deafness, or even abnormal tooth placement, like found in the bull dog,
because it may inhibit proper nursing of puppies. As absurd this may
sound, this treaty is already in effect in several European countries.
The current dog restrictions in Germany are the most extensive imposed
on any community. This act goes beyond animal welfare and public
safety. This Act is designed to control the owners of the dogs, not to
protect the public as it pretends to do. Most states in
America already have laws stating it is illegal for a dog to bite, even
if the bite victim is an intruder in the home threatening the family.
The issue of "dog control" is one of importance to all people who value
freedom. It is not surprising the situation in Germany is being called
the "holocaust on dogs."
Previous
Articles
Source documents for this article:
Act
of Dogs of the Land Nordrhein-Westfalen
One of the new German laws that has gone into effect, making ownership
of many specified breeds illegal.
European
Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals
Read this treaty direct from the Council of Europe.
Discourages breeding of dogs and cats for breed specific traits on the
basis they are genetic defects.
Law
for the Combat of Dangerous Dogs
This is an English version of the draft law by the Federal Government
of Germany.
German
Frenzy Over Mean Dogs Misses Point
By Washington Post Columnist, Judy Mann. Interview with
Max-Klaus Frey, a Bavarian lawyer, highlights the current impact of the
new laws.
lack of qualified examiners. Rumors abound about dog
owners being attacked in the streets and the elderly living in fear of
walking their pets. These laws remain in effect in spite of the massive
demonstrations and the flood of protest against them.
The harshness of the German laws is a knee-jerk response to a tragic
attack that caused the death of a child. The fact of the matter is that
these new laws were actually unnecessary. Laws were already in place
stating that these particular dogs should have been leashed and
muzzled. The problem lies in the German authority’s lack of
enforcement. A breed ban is far easier to enforce than a leash law.
Breed specific legislation can be found virtually everywhere.
Generally, these acts are based on local news stories of dog bites. The
public demands security, and an easy fix is found in making particular
breeds either restricted or illegal. Unfortunately, these laws do very
little to address the actual problem of aggressive or nuisance dogs.
Any dog can bite, regardless of breed. It is the responsibility of
owners to ensure that their animal is safe in public, and not a threat
to the lives or property of other people. Outlawing any particular
breed only serves to destroy the reputable breeders and owners, and
does little to encourage responsibility. The people who desire an
aggressive dog will simply choose another breed.
Anti-dog laws have cropped up around the globe for many years, often
under the pretense of animal welfare. The European Convention for the
Protection of Pet Animals outlaws breeding dogs and cats for particular
characteristics, citing that these characteristics are prone to health
problems. While this may sound reasonable on the surface, a deeper look
reveals that what is considered to be a genetic defect is a lack of
hair on a hairless breed, as the animal is prone to chill. Folded skin
on a basset hound is discouraged because this may predispose the dog to
eczema. Also undesirable are traits such as long ears on a cocker
spaniel due to ear discomfort, dominant white genes which may promote
deafness, or even abnormal tooth placement, like found in the bull dog,
because it may inhibit proper nursing of puppies. As absurd this may
sound, this treaty is already in effect in several European countries.
The current dog restrictions in Germany are the most extensive imposed
on any community. This act goes beyond animal welfare and public
safety. This Act is designed to control the owners of the dogs, not to
protect the public as it pretends to do. Most states in
America already have laws stating it is illegal for a dog to bite, even
if the bite victim is an intruder in the home threatening the family.
The issue of "dog control" is one of importance to all people who value
freedom. It is not surprising the situation in Germany is being called
the "holocaust on dogs."
Previous
Articles
Source documents for this article:
Act
of Dogs of the Land Nordrhein-Westfalen
One of the new German laws that has gone into effect, making ownership
of many specified breeds illegal.
European
Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals
Read this treaty direct from the Council of Europe.
Discourages breeding of dogs and cats for breed specific traits on the
basis they are genetic defects.
Law
for the Combat of Dangerous Dogs
This is an English version of the draft law by the Federal Government
of Germany.
German
Frenzy Over Mean Dogs Misses Point
By Washington Post Columnist, Judy Mann. Interview with
Max-Klaus Frey, a Bavarian lawyer, highlights the current impact of the
new laws.
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