[ SHOWGSD-L ] more about Switzerland
- From: "Peggy" <pmick12@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:19:52 -0400
and this, from a dog breeder friend in France:
(shared by Peggy)
Related stories
a.. 25.02.2008
Geneva wants dangerous dogs on a tighter leash
b.. 27.04.2007
Court confirms ban on dangerous dogs
Geneva voters' decision to tighten the law on dangerous dogs is likely to
serve as a model for other cantons.
On Sunday voters in canton Geneva agreed to tighten the leash, banning
dangerous dogs and requiring owners whose dogs weigh more than 25kg to have
a permit to walk them in public.
Although Geneva is a canton of dog lovers - 32,000 dogs live on its
territory of less than 250 square kilometres - about 65 per cent of voters
came out in support of stricter rules. These follow tighter controls on the
ownership of dogs passed in June 2007.
Cathy Maret, spokesperson for the Federal Veterinary Office, is convinced of
the significance of the Geneva vote.
"It's the first time there has been a popular vote to ban certain breeds of
dogs; and it's a clear signal by canton Geneva," Maret told swissinfo.
Dangerous dogs have been under the spotlight in Switzerland after the
horrific death of a six-year-old boy killed by pit bull terriers in November
2005 in a small town near Zurich.
Bans on dangerous dogs have already been imposed in cantons Valais and
Fribourg and are under discussion in several other cantons, but so far there
have been no specific nationwide laws on the issue.
Geneva leads
While other cantons have been rather slow to react mainly due to political
inertia, the Geneva population, prompted by several serious mauling
incidents, has forced its politicians to lead the way.
Under the new measures, considered as "complementary" to the current tough
regime in Geneva, 12 dangerous dog breeds will be banned and owners whose
dogs weigh more 25kg will need a permit to walk them in public.
The existing law already requires all dog owners to follow a complete
obedience course with their animal, and people who walk dogs for other
people to hold a licence.
Owners of dangerous dogs must also hold a licence, prove they have completed
a dog-training course and that the animal comes from an approved breeder. It
is strictly illegal to breed or cross fighting dogs, and just one dog of a
dangerous breed is allowed per household. Dangerous dogs also have to wear a
muzzle in public spaces.
Since June 2007, the number of dangerous dogs in the canton has fallen from
900 to 660.
But Verena Ammann, spokeswoman for the Swiss Canine Association, felt
tougher cantonal laws on dangerous dogs such as those in Geneva were unfair
to the ordinary dog owner.
"We know that it's not the breeds, but individual dogs that are dangerous.
All these restrictions hit ordinary dog owners without giving more security
to society," she told swissinfo.
"Dialogue of the deaf"
Yet overall, compared with France, Italy, Germany and Britain, Swiss
legislation on dangerous dogs is considered to be among the least
restrictive in Europe.
"Switzerland is certainly not top of the class," admitted Maret.
Looked at more widely, the dangerous dogs issue is more like a "dialogue of
the deaf" between the population who want more restrictive measures and the
response provided by the vets and dog-lovers, she said.
"My impression is that if we voted to ban [dangerous] dogs in Switzerland
today, there is a high chance that it would pass," she added.
In December 2005 the tabloid newspaper Blick launched a petition to ban pit
bulls, collecting more than 175,000 signatures.
At the federal level, following the 2005 fatal pitbull attack, parliament
debated measures to protect the population and called on the government to
strengthen federal legislation.
A parliamentary commission was set up and is currently finalising a draft
law on dangerous dogs.
Although the cantons are moving faster than the Swiss parliament, Maret
believes there is a political willingness to find a federal solution to the
dangerous dog debate in the coming months.
swissinfo, Simon Bradley in Geneva
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