DIE WELT - HAMBURG
Tuesday, 02 July 2002
Dog Control Code to be Overturned
The governing centre-right coalition in Hamburg wants to overturn the Hamburg Dog Control Code which has been in force since June 2002. Their intention is to get away from the breed-based classification and to adopt an individual hazard assessment.
These considerations were initiated by a fatal attack by two Rottweilers on a six-year-old boy in March. Rottweilers do not fall within either class 1 or 2 of the dangerous dogs list of the Hamburg code. The new code would place greater responsibility on dog owners. It would made third party insurance compulsory for all dog owners. Dogs would have to carry an implanted chip. Also owners would have to give proof of competence. The Dog Control Service will be disbanded as there is no longer any call for it.
In addition to a new Dog Control Code for Hamburg, the coalition wishes to start an initiative in the Upper House of the German Parliament so as to establish uniform controls in all the German federal states. Thuringia for instance has no breed list.
Animal protection groups now have the chance to present their ideas, which the coalition would then integrate into their proposal. After a debate in late June the senate would draw up a new code for Hamburg which would be submitted as a specimen code to the Upper House of Parliament in the autumn.
http://www.welt.de/daten/2002/05/07/0507h1330715.htx
NOTE: a TUV is a government check done to make sure cars (for the safety sticker) are working, house hold items, etc- and they want to make one for dogs and owners (testing, chipped, etc.)... this article says it should be from everything from a Yorkie to a Pitbull. The popular meaning of TÜV is the test on cars, so it can be translated colloquially as MOT.
The following report repeats much of the previous one but consists more of quotations from politicians, above all from the three members of the Animal Protection Committee of the Hamburg Senate. The genuine repeats are omitted. The last politician quoted is the head of the Hamburg SPD which is in opposition in the Hamburg Senate.
Now the Senate wants a dog MOT
As of this autumn all dogs - from the Yorkshire Terrier to the Pit Bull - are to be assessed individually to establish whether they are dangerous or not. The list of 14 breeds considered to be particularly dangerous is to be abolished. All dogs would be individually assessed to establish whether they are dangerous or not.
The MOT for dog and owner is intended to ensure all dogs are treated equally in future. Experience shows that the Dog Control Code is biased. The Rottweiler is not included in the list of dangerous dogs, nor are mongrels. The owner is not considered either.
There is talk of owners having to give proof of competence which could be gained by attending evening courses. However there will not be an owner license. This is considered too expensive, not verifiable and unacceptable to the public. Breeding and importing certain breeds may be prohibited.
The head of the opposition SPD in Hamburg is critical:
"Time and again, politicians unfortunately react in such a way that people are outraged." He assumes that the new code will soften up the current one by allowing more potentially dangerous dogs on to the streets. "Hardly has the memory of the recent death faded but the objectors get their way."