Breed Specific Legislation News Update 2009:

Italy Repeals Breed Specific Law:

In 2003 Italy passed breed specific legislation, the then new law was passed by emergency decree following several highly publicised dog attacks in Italy. A staggering ninety two breeds of dogs were classed as ‘threatening’ and placed on a dangerous dogs list; restrictions included muzzling and leashed in public places and holding third party insured.

The Pit Bull Terrier, Doberman, Bull Mastiff, German Shepherd Dog, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Border Collie, St. Bernard and Corgi were just some of the breeds classed as dangerous and subject to specific restrictions.

The dangerous dogs list was later narrowed to Include 17 breeds of dog, but from April 2009 the list has been repealed altogether.

The new legislation is named the "Ordinanza per la tutela dell'incolumita' pubblica dell'aggressione di cani" and under the new law, owners have both civil and criminal responsibility for any damage which is caused by their dog.

The Italian Health Under Secretary Francesca Martini stated that since BSL was introduction in 2003 there had been no decrease in the number of incidents of dogs attacking people.

Under the new legislation responsibility is placed with the dog’s owner or the person who is momentarily in charge of the dog to control the dog’s behaviour.

Vets will compile a register of dogs who they think may be potentially high risk individuals and these dogs will need to be muzzled in public places.

Dogs in urban areas will be required to be kept on leash, owners will also need to carry a muzzle on them in case it is needed.

The new legislation also plans to operate short training courses for potential dog owners, the president of the National Association of Italian Vets said courses for dog owners were crucial.

Martini said: “The measures adopted in the previous laws had no scientific foundation. Dangerous breeds do not exist. With this law we have overcome the black list, which was just a fig leaf (over the larger problem), and we have increased the level of guarantees for citizens.”

EDDR contacted the British Embassy in Rome for further information and received a summary of the new legislation scrapping breed specific legislation.
The Embassy stated that in summary:

- the black list of dangerous breeds has been eliminated

- it has become obligatory to keep dogs on the lead in all public places (these must not measure more than 1,50 metres) and all owners must carry a muzzle which is to be used in case of need.

- a list of dogs that are dangerous will be set up and vets should add any potentially dangerous dogs

- the various regions, together with official vets should organise training courses for pet owners

- owners of dogs included in the list are obliged to take out an insurance policy.

The Netherlands repealed its breed specific legislation last year.

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