The German Federal government has proposed new regulations, including requiring owners to walk their dogs twice a day for a total of at least 1 hour, in order to safeguard dog welfare. If passed, the new regulations could take effect as early as next year.

According to Agricultural Minister Julia Klöckner, the proposals are based on the scientific finding that dogs require a “sufficient measure of activity and contact with environmental stimuli,” and evidence that nation’s 9.4 million dogs are not receiving adequate exercise and stimuli. She further added: -

“Dogs are not cuddly toys. They also have their own needs, which need to be taken into account.”

The main proposals in the Hundeverordnung (Dog Act):

• Requiring owners to walk their dogs twice a day for a total of at least 1 hour.

• Breeders are limited to looking after a maximum of three litters and puppies must spend a minimum of four hours per day in human company to ensure they get socialised.

• Minimum and maximum temperature for pets living quarters

• Forbid tying up dogs for long periods of time

• Forbid leaving dogs alone for long periods of time

• Ban on showing dogs that have ears or tails docked in contravention of animal protection laws

• Dogs whose behaviours are not species specific could be banned from dog shows.

• Limitations on transporting farm animals in hot weather

The proposed regulation has received a mixed response, with criticism attracted mainly to the dog-walking requirements.

 Udo Kopernik, spokesman for the German Dog Association, told the German Bild newspaper: -

“One rule for all dogs is probably well meant but unrealistic," 

Furthermore, the amount of exercise a dog needs depended on the health, age and breed of dog. “For a young, fit Labrador, two hours of walkies are healthier than for an arthritic pug with heart problems,” said Dog Trainer Anja Striegel.

The question still remains as to how strictly the new law will be enforced by the 16 German states, if at all.

The majority of the proposed regulations seem to be perfectly reasonable and based on expert advice, however there is strong backlash due to the prospect of an ordinary dog-owner being convicted for not walking their dog, when the animal may not require that level of exercise. The proposals stem from concerns that during the current Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing and lockdown requirements have led to many dog owners neglecting their dogs. However, the proposals have been poorly communicated to the German public and may unfortunately, hinder any further animal welfare legislative developments in the future.

Courtesy of Christopher Jay

Main source: Deutsche Welle