| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BREED BAN IN GERMANY |
| Q. What breeds are involved?
A. This varies between the sixteen administrative areas in Germany, but all appear to include all the "Bull" breeds, most of the molosser breeds, and several of the flock guarding breeds. It is believed that most German administrative areas are agreed on the same dogs. The list below are dogs on the North Rhine Westphalia list:
1. Aggressive and Dangerous Dogs
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| Q. Are any dogs being seized from people's homes and put to sleep?
A. As far as we can ascertain, the only dogs that are being "seized" are those that have been thrown out to roam the streets - every civilised nation has a policy for collecting these strays. Unfortunately the new legislation in Germany has led to a sudden and vast increase in the numbers of these dogs, and there is insuffcient room to home them all so because of this dogs have been put to sleep. |
| Q. Why has there been so little coverage of this news in the non
dog specialist media?
A. We are not sure of the answer to this, but many people are working hard to spread the word via national newspapers and television. |
| Q. What is being done to get the breeds most in danger out of
Germany?
A. At the moment, some arrangements are being made between individuals inside Germany with friends from other countries. However, it is our most fervent desire to persuade the different German administrations to lighten the laws so that no mass evacuation will be necessary. |
| Q. Why are all the messages I am receiving so confused - no-one
seems to have facts and figures to substantiate the hysteria that
appears to have been generated?
A. Probably because this has all happened so quickly. The German dog owners have not yet had time to organise their resources, appoint committees and representatives and decide what action to take. Already the "hysteria" aspect on our e-mail list is being contained, and this should improve on a day to day basis. |
| Q. What can I do to help?
A. Keep in close contact with your representative breed club. Make sure that they are liaising with the equivalent breed clubs in Germany and providing all requested assistance. Contact your national Kennel Club and ensure that they are in close communication with the German Kennel Club and offering full resources and advice. Follow all the internet links you can find and sign all the different petitions. Write to German Embassies and Tourist offices in your country. Communicate in a calm and responsible manner, asking questions like, "I own a Tosa Inu and was hoping to holiday in the Black Forest this year with my family and our dog - can you advise me on the feasibility of this?" Always make it clear that you can see that it is not acceptable for any dog anywhere to be permitted to attack humans. Emphasize the importance of educating the people, and punishing those who endanger the lives of others. Write to the Central and Regional government offices in Germany in a polite and helpful manner and try to establish a one on one dialogue with someone in these offices. Allow a little time - say two days - between the receipt of correspondence and replying - it makes your response appear more considered. Be alert to all Newspaper (press), Magazine or TV releases of up to date information about the situation in Germany and post internet addresses or printouts of such news back to the e-mail list so that people in other countries are being informed about what is happening. |
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