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Is the dog law precise enough?

Is the dog law precise enough?

The Animal Ethics Council has recently sent a request to the Minister of Food to evaluate the Dog Act. The Council points out challenges in both the rules on prohibited dog breeds and the handling of dog bite cases. In its current form, the law can be difficult to enforce and lead to unfair decisions where dogs risk euthanasia without sufficient documentation or professional assessment.

Breed ban – can you prove a dog’s parentage?

A number of dog breeds are banned in Denmark, but a fundamental challenge is how to prove which breed a dog belongs to. Owners of mixed-breed dogs can find themselves in the impossible situation of having to prove that their dog does not have a prohibited lineage – but how?

The ban also applies to cross-breeds, but the law does not set a limit on how far back in the generations this rule applies. Is a dog still “dangerous” if it has a prohibited breed five or ten generations back? Genetic tests are often imprecise and can rarely give a clear answer. For dogs without a pedigree, it becomes almost impossible to document their lineage. Owners can be left powerless and risk having their dog euthanized simply because of doubt.

Dog bites – a fair assessment?

If a dog bites another dog or a human, the owner can get an injunction – regardless of the dog’s breed. In the case of a dog bite, the dog must be put down. However, the definition of a bite can be unclear, especially when a dog bites another dog.

A serious bite can of course cause fear, but a dog that bites is not necessarily dangerous in general. The bite can be a reaction to a conflict where the other dog may have been aggressive first. For example, a small dog may run barking towards a larger dog, which reacts in panic with a bite. The larger dog’s strength can lead to serious injuries, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dangerous.

The police can consult dog experts, but are not obliged to follow their assessment. The decision is made by the police alone and will only go to court if the owner appeals. However, an appeal can take months, with the dog typically being placed in a shelter – a situation that may discourage owners from appealing even if they believe the decision is unfair.

Need for clarification and better registration

The Animal Ethics Council supports legislation that protects people and animals from dangerous dogs, but emphasizes that the law must also take into account the dogs it affects. There should be clear and scientifically sound criteria for both breed bans and dog bite assessments.

The Council has therefore called on the Minister of Food to revise the Dog Act and ensure that the rules are clarified. In addition, the Council recommends that a centralized registration of cases of banned breeds and dog bites be established so that decisions can be evaluated and ensure a more uniform practice. Only with clearer and more transparent legislation can we create a system that both protects society and ensures fair treatment of dogs and their owners.


Post originally published at Animal Ethics Council.

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