The “walkie rule” in focus: an interview on the new animal welfare dog ordinance
Created: 02/15/2022, 08:00
By: Gabi Werner
A walk with your four-legged friend: The new Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance stipulates that dogs must be allowed “sufficient exercise outdoors”.
The paragraph is also often referred to as the “walkie rule”.
© dpa
The new "walkie duty" has caused a sensation among dog owners.
The new Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance is about much more.
Two experts from Tegernsee comment in an interview.
Tegernseer Tal
– Dogs are generally considered to be man’s best friend.
This does not always mean that the four-legged friends are kept in a species-appropriate manner.
Stricter rules for dog owners and breeders have now been formulated in a new nationwide animal welfare dog ordinance that came into force in January 2022.
In particular, the so-called “duty to go for a walk” has made waves among dog owners.
Do the individual paragraphs of the regulation even make sense?
What is the situation of the four-legged friends overall?
We asked Johanna Ecker-Schotte (60), chairwoman of the Tegernseer Tal animal welfare association, and Ulrike Meder (51), a dog behavior therapist from Wiesse, for an assessment.
The new Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance has been in effect since the beginning of the year. Have you already familiarized yourself with it, Ms. Meder?
Ulrike Meder:
Definitely.
As a canine behavior therapist, I am particularly close to dogs with behavioral disorders.
It's good to know that this regulation exists.
Greater attention is now being paid to the needs of dogs.
Unfortunately, the education of people who get a dog is very poor in many cases.
The ordinance includes, among other things, a “walkie rule”. It is said that the dog should be "allowed sufficient outdoor exercise outside of a kennel". A lawyer interpreted it like this: An adult dog should be walked at least twice a day, for a total of one hour. What do you make of it?
Johanna Ecker-Schotte:
I take a very critical view of that.
Much more important than just going for a walk is that I really occupy myself with my dog.
Going for a walk should not become a compulsory program if possible.
In addition, no one can control the timing for this.
Ulrike Meder:
The problem is that the dogs have very different needs depending on their breed and age - that cannot be generalized.
For example, while a hound likes to run two hours a day, other breeds are overwhelmed.
That is why education is so important when buying a dog.
That means: The seller or the breeder has a great responsibility?
Johanna Ecker-Schotte:
Yes.
A responsible breeding company gives the future owner detailed information about the new family member.
An even more responsible breeder even brings the animal directly to the buyer and takes a look: Where is my dog going?
Unfortunately, many dogs now come from abroad.
There is no control or advice.
Often these puppies are traumatized.
Does the new Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance make sense?
Ulrike Meder (left) and Johanna Ecker-Schotte take a stand.
© Thomas Plettenberg
The new ordinance is also explicitly aimed at breeders and places some requirements on keeping during breeding. A good approach?
Ulrike Meder:
I think so.
There are very good breeders - and they don't need to be afraid of the regulation.
But there are also many hobby breeders who underestimate the responsibility, and breeders where the main aim is to make money.
Here the puppies are often kept in a manner that is not appropriate to the species.
It is important that the authorities carry out spot checks and put a stop to it.
The problem is that the need for dogs is tremendous at the moment.
Good breeders often have a long waiting list.
Many people abuse this niche and breed without the necessary background.
Johanna Ecker-Schotte:
In breeding, a lot of mischief is actually done.
However, there are hardly any possibilities to control the breeders.
It can only be intervened if there are concrete indications of a grievance.
We experienced this ourselves at the animal protection association when we had to confiscate 42 dogs from a private household last year alone.
Do you think the new regulation makes sense overall? Will it help ensure that the dogs are kept in a species-appropriate manner?
Ulrike Meder:
In principle, it is correct to draw attention to the problem.
Because here too, many dogs in the golden basket are doing very badly.
They suffer when they are often left alone at home for too many hours.
I see a great responsibility here with the dog trainers and schools, who have to point out the owners to the needs of their animal.
Johanna Ecker-Schotte:
It is certainly to be welcomed that the ordinance raises dog owners' awareness of the fact that I have a great deal of responsibility for my animal.
The animal protection association is currently building a new, large dog house at the animal shelter in the Weissachauen. Do you want to set a good example here?
Johanna Ecker-Schotte:
We are just completing the building, after that Ulrike Meder will take over management there as a specialist.
Of course we want to be a role model and show how dealing with a dog should look like in everyday life.
The animals have a lot of space here - if they get along, they can spend the day together as a small pack, if not, they are separated.
We want to do a lot of preventative and educational work here.
Lately there have been increased problems with free running and hunting dogs.
Johanna Ecker-Schotte:
Yes, this unreasonableness takes a toll on us.
People always say: My dog has to run free, otherwise he's not busy.
In addition to the harassment of other people with or without a dog, our game is massively disturbed.
Not to mention land owned by the farmers.
Ulrike Meder:
People often forget that dogs are pack animals.
Man as the decision-maker leads the dog, and the dog follows him.
The basic need of the dog is also fulfilled when I walk him on a leash.
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