The German Chancellor has said that they will push hard to have their dog law taken up by all other countries in the EU.
All dog owners must play their part in making the German authorities realise what they are doing is wrong, before it is too late.
The Internet has enabled dog owners across the world to unite and help innocent dogs in Germany, information daily pours out from German dog lovers in need of support to save their dogs.The situation is desperate but join the fight to overturn these ridiculous laws, if brought in under EU legislation they can spread through Europe.
Send your email to:
DogHolocaust-subscribe@egroups.comThe different German States are all enacting their own laws.
There are 14 - 29 breeds of dog due to be banned from different regions in Germany.**********************************************************************************
Bull breeds saved from slaughter:
Two German states had legislated for compulsory euthanasia, dogs were to be taken from their owners and destroyed by the end of the week (July 7th). People in Holland were trying to rescue some of the dogs, including Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs, Staffs etc by taking them into the Netherlands. There was no time as the law was enacted so swiftly. Following international pressure the euthanasia of all bull breeds was repealed. This is just the beginning.
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Dogs over 40cm (15.7 inches) and 20 kg (44 lbs) fall under the 'dangerous dogs act'. This is being fought in counties across Germany as unconstitutional.
In one region every known mollosser breed has been moved out of the county, but still at risk is every breed of dog standing more than 40cms at the shoulder. People are reported to be glued to their fax and telephone machines - awaiting news. International support is coming in but more help is needed.
The legislation for the State of Hessen is enacted against many breeds including the American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bullmastiff, Bull Terrier, Dogue de Bordeaux Mastiff and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Possession requires permission, interest for the possession must be proven and permission filed in writing with the authorities by August 15th. Dogs must be neutered, leashed and muzzled.
EVERY door and gate to the owner’s property must be labelled with a big sign at least 15 by 21 cm and in bright red reading "WARNING DANGEROUS DOG".
After October 16th it will be illegal to own one of these dogs without the above requirements.*********************************
In Hamburg regulations list dogs under three categories as:
* breeds assumed dangerous
* breeds assumed dangerous until proven otherwise (assessment)
* dogs deemed dangerous by previous behaviourThe Bull Terrier is on the 'dangerous dog' list is some regions of Germany, this includes the Miniature Bull Terrier. In some areas the Bull Terrier, amongst other, must take a temperament test which is 3 hours long and cost $500 per dog, a failed 'test' = euthanasia.
* Category 1 breeds include the American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Dogue de Bordeux, Neopolitan Mastiff, Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
* Category 2 breeds include the Briard, Bullmastiff, Dobermann, Mastiff, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, Tibetan Mastiff and also 15 European herding breeds.These dogs must be registered, owners must obtain a dog handling licence, to be leashed and muzzled at all times. Dogs must also have shown no aggression towards people, game, livestock, other dogs and also cats.
* Category 3 applies to any dog over 40cm and 20kg.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback and Anatolian Shepherd Dog have also been targeted.
These laws are apparently already before politicians in Sweden, Italy and Spain. There is real concern that if left unchallenged, laws will spread into neighbouring Austria, ministers are lobbying Europe to make it European Law by November 2000. That includes us in the UK.Nowhere To Hide:
Faced with such unreasonable laws, high taxes and a nationwide climate of terror, many desperate people have taken their dogs to animal shelters, in a panic, seeking protection, but there is no sanctuary here as they in turn have overfilled and are turning dogs away. With no other options one report states that 800 'pit bull like' dogs have been turned loose to fend for themselves.
In the town of Giessen, all dogs under 'category 5' were being destroyed at the animal shelters, those mass slaughtered included, Am Staffs, Pit Bulls and Mastiffs (pure & crossbreeds). A government vet was instructed after local vets refused to participate in the killings.
At a main dog shelter in Hamburg 12 dogs were killed for unclear reasons. Legal action is apparently being brought against the Director of the shelter. A lawyer has taken statements from the staff and he also took photographs.
4 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, 2 German Shepherds, 1 Rottweiler, 1 Rottie cross, 1 Husky, 1 Staff cross GSD and an American Bulldog were killed.
The American Bulldog was strangled.
The dogs' bodies have been taken to a vets in the Netherlands where a post mortem on each dog will be conducted.
Dogs like these need your help - there is nowhere to run for the majority. Killed on the streets, at the shelters, and in their own homes.Further information from Germany
'Please pass to as many people as possible:'
Since the 'State Dog Ordinance' has gone into effect in the German state of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW), conditions for dog owners on German streets are indescribable. Every large dog is automatically regarded as a dangerous dog. Dogs have been injured and killed, sometimes in a beastly manner. Dog owners are verbally assaulted, attacked with stones, threatened with firearms etc. The 'State Dog Ordinance' is a knee jerk response that will not lessen accidental dog bites in the future, because the criminal elements in our society will shift the abuse to other breeds.Voice your desire for sensible legislation to Newspapers, politicians etc, so good dog owners aren't forced into the same corner as criminals and become fair game for the angry mob. Even the best-tempered dog will turn into a beast if treated so inhumanely. Today it is the Pitbull Terrier and the Doberman among others. Tomorrow it will be the Saint Bernard or others because the interest of criminal elements will have shifted to other breeds. The lists including 42 breeds has to go!
Animal Welfare organisations, breed clubs, dog owners, and many others are shocked and saddened, and will do their up most to topple this law. Please help us!**********************************************************
Comments:
Germany: "We need help, the politicians kill day by day and will kill all the dogs in Germany!! PLEASE HELP US."
USA: "I'm shocked to hear what's going on in Germany. It's sad to hear why do dogs have to pay for the stupidity of Humans. We own 8 APBT's. I'm speechless, I just know we have to do something."
Germany: "Please help the German dog friends to fight against the new regulations in Germany. I have a 4yr old Doberman who now has to wear a muzzle in public."
Greece: "This constitutes a real atrocity."
Australia: "This is outrageous and atrocious."
New Zealand: "Thank god we live in New Zealand!"
Germany: "At the moment it is not possible to walk with a big dog in public areas, we have to go out at 5 am or late in the evening. In the town of Wuppertal a 'very dangerous' little spitz was killed by the mob with a knife."**********************************************************
Public Demo in Dusseldorf, Germany:
Twelve thousand people came together for a peaceful demonstration which was sponsored by Royale Canine on July 22nd. There were many families and dogs of all sizes and breeds present. All opposed to the new dog regulations, especially that of Northrine Westphalia where amongst the new rules a compulsory leash and muzzle is mandatory for 29 breeds including the Doberman, Mastiff and Rottweiler. There was a 12,000 strong march with banners and dogs followed by poignant speeches.
On the day, a blind lady with a certified dog to guide her, a dog with special guide leash, the lady with a white stick, was attacked on her way to the main Station at Dusseldorf. It was only due to the fact that some passengers showed courage and helped - that she was not hurt. The dog is a very friendly old German Shepherd male and the incident was reported to the police after the demonstration.**********************************************************
What You Can Do To Help:
You can help by writing to;
The German Chancellor
Gerhard Schroeder
Schlossplatz 1
D-10178
Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany
The German Embassy
23 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PZ
To visit the German Embassy London click HERE.
Your MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A OAADon't know who your local MP is? Click HERE.
Also write to your MEP
Member of European Parliament - telephone your local library or 0207 227 4300 for their names and addresses (more than one). Ask them to raise the issues with their German colleagues.
Not sure who your MP is? Click HERE or telephone the local library and ask them or telephone: The House Of Commons enquiries on 020 7219 3000 - name your area and they will tell you who it is.
**********************************************************The World is Watching:
It may be that the German politicians will not take any notice of letters received from 'foreigners', but it will let them know that the world is watching and following the situation. Even if they do not bother to read your letter, it will show that people from England, along with those from around the world, are interested and concerned enough that they took the time to write a letter and send it to Germany.
The law can only be changed in Germany, by Germans. Give them your support and help to do it.**********************************************************
Take a look at WEB Sites:
The first Online Magazine for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Since 1996FACT SHEET - DANGEROUS DOG ORDINANCE
Sign the UK petition organised by Joanna Mason of SBT Rescue.
Further copies from Joanna tel: 01273 418081.
Return completed forms to the address given at the bottom of the petition.**********************************************************
Your Letters - some suggestions:
Keep your letters polite, be positive, stick to the facts, keep them short, and give sensible information. Don't be angry - that is what they expect owners of these so called 'dangerous' dogs to behave like. Don't run down other breeds.
No breed should need to be the Sacrificial Lamb, led to slaughter so that others may survive. EDDR hopes this will not be the destiny for thousands of APBT's and any loosely termed 'Pit Bulls' in Europe owned by responsible owners, but it is an uphill struggle to gain any ground.
There aren't bad dogs - but irresponsible and sometimes criminal owners, they are the ones who need to be targeted.
You’re not happy but your letter need not just disapprove and criticize, state that you realise the seriousness of recent dog attacks but breed bans are not the way forward, irresponsible owners will move on to other breeds and abuse them instead, where does it end?Thousands of innocent family pets will be destroyed; their owners haven't done anything wrong but are being punished.
Write to anyone else you think can help make a difference, every letter counts, post or email.
* EDDR has written to oppose breed specific laws and forwarded information on our own shocking DDA to German politicians and politicians here in the UK. Many other clubs, groups & individuals are all communicating by post, Internet and media.
* The DDA Reform Group has written to oppose the new laws; its next meeting is scheduled for October.
* The Kennel Club is concerned, is circulating information and has sent a KC representative for talks with the German Kennel Club.
* David Levy, KC SBT Breed Liaison Officer, is also very active and collating information on behalf of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. To visit their website click HERE.
Comments/Information Write to:
EDDR
Telephone/Fax: 0870 777 9295
E-mail: enquiries@EndangeredDogs.com
