HOLLAND IS considering imposing Breed Specific Legislation on four named breeds, with a proposed law based very closely on the UK’s own 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.

In a letter dated April 2nd. to the government committee for Agriculture, Nature, and Fisheries, the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Fisheries (LNV) announced measures relating to four so-called dangerous breeds, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Mastino Napoletano, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasiliero.

The Government has yet to make a formal announcement of the imposition of the law. In an earlier debate (15 March 2001) between the House and the Minister, the Committee for LNV were unanimous against the proposal. The Minister took a year’s “thinking time” on the issue but appears not to have gone back on his original proposal.

Despite this, it does not necessarily mean that all is a lost cause for the concerned breeds. The Dutch Kennel Club, together with other concerned parties, such as the Animal protection league, the Union for the Protection of Dogs, the Society of Veterinarians and others will put maximum pressure on the Government committee to try to change the Minister’s standpoint.

It is not yet known when or how the proposal will be dealt with in the Tweede Kamer (Parliament).

Should the Minister’s plans unexpectedly be approved it would mean that the listed breeds would have to be castrated, and would only be allowed out in public if muzzled and leashed.