Dog license: Peta demands proof after the attack in Hamburg

Created: 05/25/2022, 16:30

By: Sandra Barbara Furtner

After a dog attacked a woman, the animal rights organization PETA called for the introduction of a dog license for all owners in Hamburg

Biting incidents in which people, but also other animals, are injured or killed are becoming more and more frequent.

In mid-May, a woman was attacked by a dog in Fischers Park in Altona-Nord (Hamburg).

The police have started the investigation.

Proceedings are currently underway against the dog owner.

Also in Rendsburg (Schleswig-Holstein), a 21-year-old man was recently attacked by two loose dogs.

The police in Fockbek are now looking for the holder.

Just two examples out of many.

The animal rights organization Peta calls for the introduction of a dog handler license for all owners in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.

Because in Hamburg, a dog handler's license is only mandatory for those who want to allow their four-legged friends to run free.

If you do not have this, dogs over 12 months must be kept on a leash.

In Schleswig-Holstein, the dog handler license is not yet mandatory.

The new Gassi law is also important for all dog owners.

After a dog attacked the animal rights organization PETA called for the introduction of the dog license.

(Iconic image) © imagebroker/Imago

Dog license: There is no nationwide obligation.

Each state regulates this differently

• On July 1, 2013, Lower Saxony was the first German federal state to introduce the obligation for dog owners to have a dog handler's license.

• Leashes are compulsory in Hamburg and Berlin.

  Anyone wishing to be exempted from this must provide proof of a dog handler's license

• Baden-Württemberg would like to introduce a mandatory dog ​​handler license in 2022

• If you have a dog license in Munich, you can be exempt from the dog tax for a year

• In Mannheim you can even be exempted from the dog tax for two years if you can show proof of competence

• In some federal states, the proof is only valid for "so-called" list dogs

Dog license: What is a dog license anyway?

With the dog license, the owner should learn how to handle his dog properly.

According to Peta, most accidents happen as a result of dog owners misjudging them.

Poor posture or a violent upbringing can also lead to this.

“Most of the time the problem is not with the dog, but at the other end of the leash.

Many owners cannot correctly interpret and assess the behavior, signals and body language of their four-legged friend.

So the real cause of biting attacks is to be found in them - not in the animal," says Monic Moll, Peta's specialist for animal companions.

She also emphasizes: "Any dog ​​that is kept or treated incorrectly can become a danger to people and animals - regardless of whether it belongs to a 'breed' or is a 'mix'.

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Dog license: Dog professional Martin Rütter is also in favor of it

Similar to a car driver's license, a dog driver's license involves a theoretical and a practical test.

Many dog ​​schools, but also animal shelters and associations such as the "VDH" (Association for German Dogs), "BVZ" (Professional Association of Certified Dog Schools) and "BHV" (Professional Association of Dog Educators and Behavior Consultants) offer appropriate courses.

Topics include education, husbandry, care, nutrition, communication, health and law.

But guidelines and exam content are individual.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the federal state, you can expect around 100 euros.

Through this training, the owner learns to assess his four-legged friend much better and is able to intervene and act even in a critical situation.

Dangerous biting accidents can thus be better avoided.

Dog professional Martin Rütter also advocates the introduction of a dog license.

He says in an interview: "A dog license is the ultimate solution.

Anyone can own a dog, even breed it or open a dog school.

Accidents happen because the owners have no idea about the animals.

A lot could be improved with a relatively short training in basic knowledge.”