(Updated 31/4/01)

NEC hosts Petindex

STAFFORDSHIRE BULL Terriers are now illegal in Germany after German President Johannes Rau signed and ratified the Fighting Dog Bill, which was approved by both the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament.

In signing the Bill last Saturday, Herr Rau has, in the stroke of a pen, placed Germany in direct conflict with the European Parliament for enacting a law which, being unconsititional, goes against EU laws inlcuding the freedom of movement of goods between EU States.

German anti-BSL campaigner Gregor Von Dungen told OUR DOGS: “The law forbids the import, breeding and ownership of Bull Terrier breeds. Actually it is forbidden for a foreigner to visit Germany with his dog.”

Campaigners had the chance to prevent the President from signing, if protest from the Commissioner of the European Commission Mr. David Byrne will arrive in time.

As previously reported, David Byrne has already requested that the German Federal Government supply scientific proof that the so-called ‘Fighting Breeds’ represent a danger to man and beast. To date he has not received a reply. Now that the Bill is ratified, Germany is in direct breach of EU law.

Amstaffs, a popular breed on the continent now banned in Germany.

Campaigners around the world, including dog enthusiasts in the UK sent letters of protest to Herr Rau, as well as David Byrne, but to no avail.

Dave Levy, KC Liaison Officer of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Council told OUR DOGS earlier this week: “This is very bad news. Despite all the protests and intervention by British and European politicians the all-knowing German Government has finally succeeded in making its ban on various breeds including the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier a Federal law.

“I normally refuse to enter into debate about general politics or the case for or against European membership but I feel I have to point out that the manner in which the German authorities have ridden rough-shod over the warnings from Brussels and the authoritarian way in which basic human liberties are now to be infringed give me very serious cause for concern.

“It is clear that the Germans have introduced a law that enables their police to behave totally irrationally where dogs are concerned. To enter the house of a suspected rapist, terrorist or murderer they probably still need to prove due cause and obtain a search warrant from their courts. ..... but dog owners do not have this legal protection. The ultimate crime is now owning a dog!”

Forbidden

The law itself runs to three pages. Its key points state that the following breeds of dog are now forbidden: Pitbull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier and any mixes from these.

The Selling, Importing, Exporting, Breeding of these breeds is also forbidden. Anyone caught doing so faces a fine of 10,000dm and two years in jail if caught.

It is also forbidden for anyone to show ANY BREED of dog whose ears or tail has been cropped.

Perhaps most sinister of all, the law states that, at any time, the authorities can enter the home of ANYONE with one of the forbidden breeds, to take blood, skin and hair samples, examine the dogs and all items pertaining to the dogs. A warrant to enter a dog owner’s premises is not needed from a judge.

The law was ratified on Saturday, April 20th, which, by coincidence, was the birthday of Adolf Hitler, an irony not lost amongst anti-BSL campaigners.

Campaigner Cathie Detmar said: “Actually, I find it quite fitting. The only hope left for us here is the courts . But the damage is now done and while waiting several years for the court trials to be over, these breeds will be finished. When I think that the Bull Terrier has been in Germany since 1880s and is now finished with the stroke of a pen.

And the fact that Germany has ignored the EU’s warnings on the import ban... is amazing. And the fact that entering peoples homes without judicial consent (which is forbidden under German law, by the way) goes beyond comprehension.

Key points

I am sorry to be half-German and so sorry I live here now.”

In case anyone may be tempted to think that the German Federal Government’s laws have no bearing on dog owners in the UK, they would do well to consider the key points which arise from this law:

* The right to sell and export your dogs from other European countries to Germany will be forbidden by this Bill
* The right to visit Germany with your dog under the “pet passport” scheme - forbidden under this Bill
* That the law is contrary to those deemed necessary by ANY OTHER European state
* That there is NO EVIDENCE that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier represents any danger to the German public.

Similarly, the German Federal Government are continuing to press ahead with their plans to introduce an EU-wide ban on the four listed breeds and an EU-wide ban on their movement.

Even though they know that their own law is illegal, they continue to ignore the evidence presented by experts, they continue to ride rough shod over the democratic, constitutional rights of dog owners and thumb their noses with Teutonic arrogance at anyone who has the temerity to question their wisdom.

Dave Levy concluded:
“We will be having an election in the next couple of months. Make this an ISSUE. Ask your candidates what they are doing about this law and what it means for the future of Europe. Make them answer - for dogs’ sake.”
l Anyone opposing the German Federal Government’s illegal actions is asked to write to: Mr David Byrne, European Commissioner, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Bruxelles, Belgium