August 30, 2024, 9:49 am | Read time: 4 minutes
At the beginning of October, a female jogger was mauled to death by an American Staffordshire terrier in Naarn, Upper Austria. All help came too late for the 60-year-old, who died at the scene. But what is the situation in Germany?
In a biting incident near Linz, Austria, a 60-year-old female jogger was fatally mauled by an American Staffordshire Terrier during her morning run. Although the dog, which is on a breed-specific list, was leashed, it was not muzzled. According to media reports, the animal managed to free itself and then attacked the passing jogger.
The dog was not classified as dangerous
In the process of pulling her agitated dog away from the woman, the owner was also seriously injured but managed to take the animal to her nearby home and call for help. However, assistance arrived too late for the jogger, who succumbed to her injuries at the scene. It is not yet known what exactly triggered the biting incident. The owner, who keeps several dogs of this breed, was taken to Linz University Hospital and could not be questioned.
While keeping so-called fighting dogs requires a permit or dog license test in three Austrian federal states, keeping dog breeds classified as dangerous is not subject to any special requirements in Upper Austria. This is also the case in Naarn, where the tragic incident occurred. Owners there only have to complete a course. In addition, local authorities can impose conditions such as a compulsory muzzle and lead in public for individual dogs that have attracted attention due to their aggressive behavior.
The consequences of the biting incident for the Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier from Naarn in question had not been classified as dangerous, as reported by the news agency dpa, quoting Martin Gaisberger, the municipality’s mayor. However, after the fatal incident, the owner concerned was banned from keeping the dog, and it was taken away. The dog has since been euthanized.
But how does Germany handle listed dogs – breeds classified as particularly dangerous? Incidentally, the American Staffordshire Terrier is one such breed in Germany. In fact, there is no standardized nationwide approach; instead, the individual federal states regulate their handling individually. This is something that many dog owners and animal rights activists have been criticizing for years. Which dogs you are allowed to keep, how, and where is laid down in the respective dangerous dog ordinances and state dog laws. In Brandenburg and Bremen, American Staffordshire Terriers may not be kept.
What requirements are there?
No American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or Bull Terriers and their crossbreeds may be brought into Germany, imported, or traded. This is stated in the Dog Movement and Import Restrictions Act (HundVerbrEinfG). There are some exceptions, which is why listed dogs may be kept in some federal states but under stringent conditions.
Besides the four breeds mentioned, other dogs are also classified as list dogs. This is due to their solid and muscular physique or the dangerous behavior they could display towards people and other animals. In most federal states, owners must officially register their listed dogs immediately after acquiring them. In many places, a so-called “dog license” is also mandatory, which is a kind of certificate of competence. Depending on the federal state, other requirements include the age of 18, the presentation of a police clearance certificate, and a muzzle and lead requirement for dogs older than six months.
What is a character test?
Depending on one’s residence, securing dog liability insurance and passing a temperament test may also be mandatory. The temperament test is a behavioral assessment conducted on dogs by veterinarians, the public order office, or the veterinary office. They check whether a dog listens to its owner and whether the animal is highly aggressive. The temperament test serves as evidence that a dog does not present a significant danger. A temperament test may also be required for dogs not on the list but exhibiting aggressive behavior. The temperament test applies to pedigree dogs and mixed breeds in this case.
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Sources
- “Spiegel.de,” “What rules are there for keeping fighting dogs?”,(accessed on 04.10.2023)
- “Spiegel.de,” “Jogger in Austria fatally bitten by dog”,(accessed on 04.10.2023)