(Updated 20/02/01)

German Ambassador on the air and placed on the spot!

THE GERMAN ambassador Hans Von Plotz bit off more than he could chew earlier this week when he appeared on BBC Radio West Midlands to talk about the German ‘Fighting Dog’ laws.

Speaking on the Ed Doolan show, Herr Von Plotz attempted to justify the German States Governments’ decision to restrict ownership of several ‘dangerous’ breeds and also the Federal Government’s recent decision to ban the import of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, American Staffords and Pit Bull Terriers.

OUR DOGS’ Chief Reporter Nick Mays swiftly dismissed the Ambassador’s comments that the breed bans had come about as a result of the death of six year-old Volkan Kaja, pointing out that naturally the full weight of the law should come down on truly dangerous dogs and their owners, but that applying the ‘dangerous’ tag to other dogs of the breed or related breeds was wrong. Breed Specific Legislation does not work, as the UK’s DDA had shown.
Canine Behaviourist Mike Mullen, who hosts a regular pet advice segment on the programme also dismissed the Federal Government’s use of BSL. He put the Ambassador firmly on the spot by extending an invitation on behalf of the Kennel Club for the Ambassador to attend Crufts on Terrier Day. The Ambassador did not give an answer, but it is hoped he will take up the KC’s invitation.

The Ambassador attempted to joke his way out of the hot spot by saying “One shouldn’t mention the war, but there are various breeds used in wartime which are considered to be dangerous...”

Nick Mays pointed out that German Shepherd Dogs - Germany’s national breed - headed the league table of bite statistics in Germany, yet these were not included in any BSL by either the Federal Government. If this didn’t demonstrate bias and BSL, then nothing did...