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***image1***The German-American Community Office and the Animal Protection Association Kaiserslautern regularly receive complaints about American citizens not treating their pets according to German law. Also, just recently a Kaiserslautern veterinarian reported to Polizei an incident where an American abandoned his sick dog in the woods.
“Americans who own dogs over here in Germany must understand that there are laws on how to keep pets,” said Claudia Beavers from the GACO.
The law says that people keeping, caring or having to care for an animal are not allowed to limit the animal’s opportunity for species-specific movement in a way that the animal suffers from pain, diseases or injuries.
“The main mistake Americans make is to keep dogs in a crate all day long,” Mrs. Beavers added.
Vigilant neighbors inform the Department of Public Order of this kind of animal abuse.
“Department of Public Order officials ask us to please try to get a hold of these American pet owners to let them know that there is a German Animal Protection Law applicable for all animals kept as pets,” said Sissi Koesling from the GACO. “We try to solve problems before official authorities take action.”
According to animal protection association officials a dog should not stay alone without being walked for more than five hours. A dog being kept indoors needs proper exercise and should be taken out for walks several times a day. Recommended is at least one hour total per day. It is not allowable to chain up the dog within the apartment or keep it locked in a separate room.
“Ever since the local animal shelter found out that it’s a common thing for Americans to keep dogs in crates all day and that numerous people don’t want to take dogs back to the United States after their assignment over here, they don’t give them dogs from their shelter any longer,” said Mrs. Koesling.
“Before buying a pet, people should consider the responsibility and the disadvantages of keeping an animal,” she added. “What happens to the pet when the owner goes on leave or gets deployed?” The animal protection law governs the cohabitation of people and pets. An animal is a living being and it’s not there to kill boredom.
Some people also keep their dogs on balconies, in basement rooms and bathrooms. These are not the right places to keep a dog.
If a dog is at risk, police get with the official veterinarian and they both get the dog out of its miserable condition. Violations of the law might result in a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine of up to €25,000.
“Many neighbors also call when the dogs which are alone all day won’t stop barking,” said Mrs. Beavers. “This is a noise protection concern.”
The Department of Public Order takes appropriate action here as well.
German law also determines the keeping of fighting dogs. They are considered highly aggressive towards people or animals due to breed-related characteristics or the way they are kept.
The following dogs are considered fighting dogs, both pure-bred and cross-bred dogs: American Staffordshire Terrier, Bullterrier, Pit Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff, Dogo Argentino, Bordeaux Dogge, Fila Braisleiro, Mastin Espanol, Mastino Napoleatano, Mastiff and Tosa Inu.
People willing to keep a fighting dog older than six months must get permission from the local police department, if the federal law does not say something different from that. When being walked outside the owner’s property, fighting dogs must wear a muzzle which prevents biting. Also, only responsible persons who can guarantee the dog cannot escape or hurt people or animals may walk such a dog.
