(Updated 19/7/01)
Demos in Düsseldorf and Berlin ignored by German media
by Nick Mays
OPPOSITION TO the German Federal Government and German Landers’ “Fighting
Dog Laws” continues strongly in Germany and throughout the world, despite
the general lack of media interest in the subject. Two recent demonstrations
against the laws in Düsseldorf and Berlin were virtually ignored by the
German mainstream media, despite the fact that the campaigners present were
highlighting the loss of basic constitutional rights due to the laws, and the
illegality of the laws on an EU-wide basis.
Campaigner Ted Gretsch told OUR DOGS: “It has been one year since the Federal
Republic of Germany’s anti-dog laws came into existence. These laws are
aimed against specific breeds of dog and plan the destruction of the Staffordshire
Bull Terrier, American Stafford, Bull Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier. It is maintained
in the laws, that these four breeds have an innate increased aggression.
“The dog owner must prove that his dog is not inherently aggressive. Therefore
the owner and his dog has to pass special tests. Each dog, who does not pass
the test (e.g. because he/it barks at the sight of an other dog or in a provocated
situation) is taken away and put to death IMMEDIATELY. There is no possibility,
to embark on legal action to prevent the killing of the dog.
“Also the dog owner must pass a test. If he/she does not pass the test
(because he/she for example does not find the correct answer to the unscientifically
questionnaire) their dog who will be killed immediately. The dogs must be registered
with the local authorities.
“The police or any other authority has the right to move enter someone’s
home and to search it without judicial search warrant at any time during the
day or night if they merely suspect that there is an unregistered or dangerous
dog on the premises and to shoot dead the dog if found (which already very often
has happened) in the apartment. In one case for example a 63 year-old lady was
pulled out of her apartment in handcuffs just because someone told the police
that this lady’s dog had bitten another dog - which was not true. Neighbours,
who wanted to help her were driven back into their apartments by the police
with drawn guns. In the streets open hatred is directed against dogs such as
Staffies and their owners. The owners are insulted, spat at, also attacked.
The police or other dog haters murder the dogs on the open street.
“It is pointless to complain, as all authorities have decided against the
dogs and their holders. On July 12th. the Constitutional Court in Berlin has
recognised that this law ‘goes with the constitution in conformity’.
“Despite these laws and the social and political situation, the media does
not report about this situation in Germany. They did not report what the demonstrators
in Düsseldorf and Berlin were complaining about.”
Gretsch adds: “On 7th July, two nationwide demonstrations occurred. One
in Dusseldorf with 5,000 participants and one in Berlin with 2,000 participants.
The low turnout explains itself from the genuine fear that owners have, to lose
the dog because of demonstrating. “Politically, the demonstrators were
all united on certain main points including:
the resignation of certain politicians and the abolition of the anti - dog laws.
One speaker clearly spoke out, voicing what the demonstrators felt:
To loud applause they pointed out that they stood here against the dismantling
of basic democratic rights, specifically the right to travel inside Germany
when they wanted to. If a German and his Staffie goes on holiday to a foreign
country, he or she is not allowed to bring back his dog again to Germany. At
the boundary the dog is taken off and killed.
Further anti-dog laws come into force from September 1st, when Staffordshire
Bull Terriers are not allowed to take part in any organised dog shows or exhibitions
because the German government has declared Staffies as dogs which are bred under
“cruel circumstances”, as laid down in the Council of Europe’s
Charter on Animal Welfare. Demonstraters declared this decision was not scientific.
It was also pointed out that in Berlin dogs must be a muzzled and leashed. But
there are no facilities for the dogs to run and play.
Ted Gretsch concluded:
“The fight against the politicians and the media in this country has just
begun. However we need broad support from other countries. Thus the message
from Mr. David Levy from the UK was applauded strongly by all those present.
“Mr. Levy pointed out, that we in Germany are not alone and that thereis
a Worldwide solidarity with us.
Demonstrators were particularly grateful for the support shown by British dog
owners for our struggle.
“After these demonstrations we must go on fighting for both: our dogs and
our civil rights! The fight must and will go on.
Dave Levy’s address, sent on behalf of the Kennel Club to be read at the
demonstrations, said:
“First I apologise for not being with you in Dusseldorf. As explained,
I will be at the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Council meeting in Leicester
to brief the delegates from the 18 SBT clubs in the United Kingdom on several
matters including the current situation regarding European legislation.
“I am sure that the people gathering in Dusseldorf to continue the protests
against this dreadful legislation are aware of the support you have from dog
owners in the UK, across Europe and indeed the whole world. Once again an oppressed
minority in Germany is indicative of a worldwide disease. The whole basis of
the Domino campaign being organised by The Kennel Club is to warn people everywhere,
and not just dog owners, just how easily bad laws can spread from country to
country and from breed to breed. We offer you our fullest support at this very
difficult time.
“We must never forget that some dogs have injured people and indeed a very
few have actually caused fatalities. What causes such incidents is almost certainly
the incompetence - even the criminal negligence of some owners. So how can the
solution be to ban specific races of dogs? Why do those in authority continue
to divert attention away from the real causes and concentrate on denouncing
“devil dogs”, “fighting dogs” or “killer breeds”?
“I have even recently read one story that reported the case of an elderly
woman being severely injured in an attack by a Rough Collie. Yet the article
ended with a call for the banning of Pitbulls, Tosas and Akitas.
“An unprovoked dog attack is always unforgivable but it is the very rarity
of fatal incidents that cause some newspapers to treat a fatal dog attack with
an almost joyous over-reaction. It is even worse when a news editor intentionally
chooses an apparently defenceless target, such as a small group of dog owners,
as a means of increasing circulation and that seems to be precisely what has
happened in Germany:
“Unfortunately, once the media has decided to attack a particular famous
individual or indeed a section of the public, their power is such that nobody
can expect a fair chance to answer back. Look at how difficult it is right now
to have a letter published in your democratic “free” press protesting
against the indefensible attack on the rights of dog owners and their pets.
“Just try telling a journalist that cats, horses and even rats each kill
more people every single year than dogs. They are just not interested in facts,
merely trying to outdo one another with ever more extreme stories that might
appear to support their argument.
“As for the weak-minded politicians who fall prey to this one-sided media
frenzy, they will just refuse to consider factual or scientific evidence, preferring
to listen only to those tales that reinforce their increasing prejudice.
“So where is the independent voice of reason that will eventually restore
justice to dog owners? Our only protection is an independent judiciary. In the
UK the House of Lords is the ultimate Court, but also the senior political chamber,
and sure enough politically-biased decisions taken there in the 1990s decided:
a) That the inside of a private motor vehicle is a public place; and
b) That a pitbull terrier could be bred from 2 totally different parents.
“Meanwhile the national, and independent High Court increasingly began
to overturn decisions taken by lower courts. They freed a dog that had been
sick in its muzzle, released a “dangerous” dog (- with no teeth!)
and ordered the police to let a variety of pet dogs return to their owners;
albeit after varying periods of absence up to 5 years. Soon the media began
to concern itself with the waste of tax payers’ money fighting indefensible
dog cases.
“It is fair to assume that most national politicians are swayed by so called
“evidence” being churned out by the gutter press and, like all politicians,
they hate to admit ever having been wrong. However, the pressure is now mounting
and it is becoming increasingly clear that the German Government, just like
its British counterpart in 1996, is beginning to seek a way out of this mess.
“At last we seem to be seeing independent thought being demonstrated by
the German Courts. At least the judges are considering facts and ignoring prejudice.
The European Commission has also indicated its objection to these unfair laws.
Complaints continue to flood into German Embassies around the world and it is
hopefully only a matter of time before an appropriate opportunity, change of
government or instruction from legal authorities will ensure a return to some
sanity.
“We are not looking to overturn any political party nor to restrict the
value of a free democratic press. We are not criminals and we are not facists,
communists or anarchists. We are normal law-abiding citizens and we and our
dogs deserve fair representation, access to justice and the right to live peacefully
with our chosen pets free from persecution.
“The struggle for justice goes on and the battlefield is the courts of
Germany and Europe. In the meantime, rest assured that you have the respect
and support of many thousands of British dog owners.
“We will win because we are right.”
David Levy.
Kennel Club Liaison Officer for Staffordshire Bull Terriers.