Germany - one year on:
Last year the German media was saturated with articles on dangerous dogs, following an attack by two abused dogs and consequent tragic death of a young boy in Hamburg.
A wave of hatred for all dogs and their owners soon gripped the country and each of Germany's 16 states (lander) rushed through legislation banning or restricting specific breeds of dogs.
Laws differ in each area, as an example Schleswig-Holstien considers 11 breeds dangerous (see past news letters). There are severe penalties and some areas require dogs to undergo behavioural tests, masses of pet dogs have arrived at the dog shelters.
One year on and the canine detention centres are still full with dogs awaiting their fate.Germany's Federal law was signed on April 20th. Forbidden at a national level is; the American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Pitbull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and any mixes of these. It is now illegal to sell, import, export or breed.
The German authorities have been granted new powers and can enter any home at any time without a Court order in their search for a 'forbidden' breed. They can enter the dog owner's home and take blood, skin and hair samples, examine any dog present and take all items relating to the dog.
Dog owners are now in a different league and treated worse than hardened criminals!
April 20th was a truly dismal day for dog owners, how fitting that the new Federal law was signed on Adolf Hitler's birthday!Important Meeting: The Meeting of the Interior Ministers for each German 'state' was scheduled for September, dog owners everywhere were asked to write to each minister, EDDR wrote to all the ministers in time for the Meeting.
The conference deliberated how the breed specific laws of each land would be brought together. Gaby Woiwode, an active campaigner in Germany, informs us that the Meeting took place on the 7th and 8th of November.
The Ministers agreed that they want harmonized dog edicts. A working group of veterinary officers are working on a basic edict which is intended to be adapted by all the 16 lands. All but three lands have agreed upon the current version of this basic edict.Legal Action: The main hope now rests with the various court actions being taken but awaiting the hearings will take some time. The fight is not just with the one authority but the sixteen different authorities in addition to the Schleswig-Holstein was the first State where a breed list has been FULLY rejected. The Court ruled that to declare dogs to be dangerous because they belong to a certain breed goes against the constitutional rule of equality. Belonging to a certain breed does not automatically make a dog dangerous they declared.
The Court did not allow an Appeal and the Ministry has filed a complaint based on this Appeal refusal. The case is therefore still pending and the breed list, although rejected by the State Court remains in force for now.
Court cases in other states, brought by owners and breeders, are still ongoing. A large trial is being funded by the VDH and several breed clubs, the trial concerns the import ban and loss of freedom to own the dog of ones choice. Exact dates for this and other hearings are not yet known.
Meanwhile life for man's best friend and many dog owners throughout Germany is extremely bleak and unjust.
The German Embassy- Head of Legal & Consular Dept - quote:
"In 1994, the Bavarian Constitutional Court upheld recent legislation relating to Staffordshire Bull Terriers on the basis of expert literature according to which this breed has extremely aggressive tendencies towards other dogs and animals and, rendered even more dangerous by its strength and agility, powerful jaws, and an insatiable desire to fight, so that when meeting other dogs it can change from a well-mannered gentleman to a dog-fighting machine."
"For similar reasons the Bullmastiff, Mastiff, Rhodesian Ridgeback and Bullterrier breeds are also subject to these measures."***********************************
Sunny R.I.P'Sunny': Unleashed he attacked a cat. Pedestrians grabbed him & tied him to a tree. The police arrived, claimed he was about to come loose and shot him twice, using a Walter P239 with special 'anti-dog ammunition'-it explodes on impact to cause maximum internal damage for 'dangerous dogs'. To read more about this story click HERE.
Another reason why dogs in Germany need your help.
***********************************
Petition:
A petition was circulated & received abundant support at the Spitalfields Dog Show, addressed to David Byrne, European Commissioner, it reads:
"Today we heard about recent legislation on dogs in Germany and met many dogs of the breeds and sizes affected. We congratulate and applaud you on your stand against the unconstitutional breed specific legislation introduced by the German Government. These laws are inhumane and based on extreme ignorance and prejudice. They are an affront to our society. We urge you to resist most positively any further attempt by the German government to force these laws onto the rest of the European Union."New Association formed - France:
Pierre-Louis Petit an ardent campaigner opposing BSL in France writes (translated): "We have registered an association in France which is called 'Chiens en Danger' (Endangered Dogs), we have chosen this name because of the risk of misinterpretation in translation of 'Dogs at Risk'.
I am the President of this association. The aim is to defend dogs, of any breed whatever, against every act or writing likely to be prejudicial to them.
For the moment the French BSL is here to stay, but we hope our organisation can bring about amendments in the future. We are supported by several deputies & personalities. We are the ones who organised two meetings against the law. We are the ones who succeeded to demonstrate that the Staffie was not a dangerous dog & therefore it was not enlisted. We continue fighting the law!For further information please click HERE to be redirected to the French Governments website.
Overseas – In Brief:
*Slovakia: Recent news from this part of Europe describes a proposed law which will ban 8 breeds, targeted is the Bull Terrier, Doberman, 'Pit Bull', Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler & Staffordshire Bull Terrier.*Ohio: S.Euclid City proposed breed restrictions. The Ordinance specifically names the AST, APBT, Presa Canario & Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It states that these breeds have "inherent characteristics of aggression, strength, viciousness & unpredictability not found in other breeds". Yet a review of the last 4yrs animal bites data show NO 'pit bull' bites on record.
*Philadelphia: BSL proposed defines a dangerous dog as: "One that is of or exhibits the characteristics of 'Pit Bull,' American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler or any other breed of dog determined by the Dept. of Health to exhibit particularly powerful jaws, aggressiveness, & the ability to withstand infliction of pain to a degree that makes such breed particularly dangerous."
In Court - or In Need of Advice:
* Sam, an 8yr old West Highland Terrier was seized and sentenced to die by Aberdeen District Court following a neighbour's complaint of continuous barking.
Owner William Shaw was granted leave to appeal against the decision. Judges sitting at the Appeal Court in Edinburgh quashed the destruction order on 13th November, on the condition that Sam is re-housed following help from a behaviourist. Mr Shaw is not allowed to keep Sam and is very upset, but the destruction order has been quashed. To read more about this story click HERE.
* A woman has been found not guilty under Sec 3 of the DDA after she proved to the Court that her dog has no teeth. Owner, Maxine Turner was told that 13yr old 'Beth' could be put to sleep under the DDA as it was claimed she had distressed two elderly women by growling at them.
Cardigan magistrates heard that all of Beth's teeth had dropped out. The prosecution told the Court that the problem had began when two pensioners were walking past Ms. Turners house, they were left distressed when Beth barked & growled at them. The defence said: "This must be the most ridiculous case ever brought before this court. The dog has no teeth. How on earth can it be classed as dangerous?" The Court declared: "We do not feel the prosecution has proved that this dog was not under proper control." To read more on this story click HERE.
* A HIGH COURT judge refused to order the destruction of three Greyhounds described as intolerable by the owner's neighbours in a case, brought by Stratford-upon-Avon council. Judge Peter Clark ruled that the Human Rights Act guaranteed the dog's owners the right to a private and family life and that the forcible parting of a dog from its owner would breach that right. Could this ruling be of benefit in DDA cases?
* Advice & accurate information was requested from a dog owner in Hampshire. Her Rottweiler had run up to some children & jumped up to play, nothing else occurred but this was reported to the police who later questioned the owner. Weeks of anxiety followed but no charges have been issued.
* Help given to a British citizen living in Holland but moving back to the UK with his American Staffordshire Terrier. He had received a sketchy response from the Home Office & needed to know if his dog would be safe under the UK DDA. A similar enquiry was also received from a businessman moving from Japan to the UK & also wishing to bring his dog with him.
* A Rottweiler owner was refused health insurance cover due to her dog's breed. The Insurance company responded: "We are unable to offer any cover for this breed. This is due to the fact that they are registered in the DDA 1991 & underwriters will not offer any cover for this reason."*******************************************************
2001 UK General Election:
Well, that time again but ten years on from the introduction of the DDA and support for any further changes to the law was thin on the ground. We nevertheless decided to write to several of the political parties and brought the DDA to their attention, we also asked:
Q) "Would their Party support further breed bans in the UK in addition to those already imposed under the DDA?"
Replies received included:
* William Hague's Office who 'carefully noted our comments'. In addition, Ian Philips, Secretary to William Hague stated: "The Conservative Party has no plans to extend the scope of the Dangerous Dogs Act or to introduce bans on any breed of dog."
* Claire Chandler on behalf of the Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy (Lib Dems) stated: "The Liberal Democrats have no plans to change the law in this respect and so we would support breed specific legislation." It was confirmed in a second letter that they have "no proposals to change the law in this respect" and are open to suggestions of policy development.
* Labour replied to state that they were too busy with campaigning to reply! The Green Party did not answer any of our questions on this occasion.********************************************************
Parliamentary Question:
The first Parliament Question of recent years, concerning the Dangerous Dogs Act is to be asked: Following a meeting attended by Colin Goff with MP Andrew Dismore present and subsequent communications, Mr Dismore has tabled a written question: "To ask the Secretary of State for Home Office, what plans he has to review the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and if he will make a statement."
DDA Statistics: Working with MP Andrew Dismore, Colin Goff has obtained a full breakdown of the procedures and convictions figures for the three years '97, '98 and '99 (post Amendment). Separating Section One and Section Three offences under the Act. To be reproduced in our next newsletter.In brief:
* EDDR company accounts: Our 1st year company accounts were prepared and submitted by EDDR accountant Mr. Evans FCA. The first Annual Return has also been filed & accepted by Companies House.
* Barrister Anne Gregory has offered her expert services to anyone suffering legal problems involving their dog(s). You can speak to Anne Gregory freely and in confidence (once referred from EDDR helpline).
* The EDDR computer, purchased several years ago has been upgraded as many tasks where beyond its capabilities. The original monitor remains and the tower (hard drive/modem etc) has been replaced by a faster, efficient model which was donated in full by Eugene Welch.
* Six new complete metal & weldmesh kennels have been purchased for the rescue. They are spacious, secure and very well constructed. Six new interior dog beds have been expertly and freely built by supporter Tony. The dogs all gave them a big 'thumbs up'!***************************************
A Special Thank You:
* To solicitor Trevor Cooper who has continued to advise callers - many in desperate need of legal advice. Numerous organisations, including EDDR has relied on Trevor to take on canine cases, often free of charge, over the years, he also responds to a never-ending barrage of telephone calls throughout the course of each week.
* To Tony Foreman of Technical-Minds Ltd, who is helping EDDR with its web site and other technological problems.
* To Fireside Bull Breeds Advisory Service who has continued to help and advice helpline callers. Also our thanks to Sue Goff who runs an EDDR telephone helpline and has supported several dog owners who have found themselves subject to legal action.
* To Ms. Bildecott, for a generous donation of special pet bedding for the older dogs. Purchased from Tails Up Pet products who also kindly contributed to our 'valuable & valued work'. Especially enjoyed by 'Elle' and 'Jaff' following their life saving operations. Also out thanks to Marilyn Shawcroft for the items donated to raise funds from the market stall.
* To numerous canine rescue charities & organisations in and around the Surrey/Middlesex/Berkshire & Kent areas that kindly offered their support for EDDR rescue registered dog 'Jaff'. Also Epsom Canine Rescue for their continued donations of blankets/bedding materials for the rescue dogs, some of them direct victims of BSL.**************************************
Rescue has been very busy. We've run out of space here to bring you full details. Briefly-
• Re-homed-'Shadow' a ten year old registered dog and very happy in his new home.
• Re-homed - 'Sweet' Bull Terrier x Collie a long term kennel dog, now indoors for Winter.
• Rescued - 'Cadbury', 10yrs & registered with no hope & abandoned.
• Rescued - 'Jaff', also 10yrs & registered, pictured below he has been through extensive veterinary treatment provided by EDDR.
Wish List: Foster Homes, all areas. Worming tablets, strong collars & leads. Chews, treats. Ink cartridges for a HP Officejet pro 1150c. Postage Stamps.
Many Thanks!
Comments/Information Write to:
EDDR
Telephone/Fax: 0870 777 9295
E-mail: enquiries@EndangeredDogs.com
