Swiss dog laws...

I was listening to a caller from Switzerland to a call in radio show and the laws there seem very very strict ...
Is any one familiar with the draconian laws they have ???

Just had a google.

I wouldn't say the first statement is draconian but it seems different regions have different rules. Heres the link.

http://www.veterinaireonline.com/expat/dogs.html

Here is another one.

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics...ml?cid=6461426

I have also just found a comment on a forum that says people have to attend courses to own a dog if you haven't previously owned a dog before or if there has been a substantial time lapse since owning a dog. This was dated 2008.

I did read that ..
The caller was a Dobe owner had the dog had to be tested in the home and outside by a vet..
She pays over 200 pound for a licence for each of her 2 dogs..

Wow. Thats a lot.

Wonder if they have less dog attacks ?

And 15 breeds on a watch list which i cant seem to find a full list of..

All the laws in the world wont help matters unless they are enforced. Otherwise its just us law abiding dog owners that suffer.

So i bet they still have problems with dog related crime ect

Haven't had a read through the links but just thinking out loud:

- surely if something like this was implemented in uk it would just be the people that already take care of their dogs that apply for a liscense and people that already have illegal dogs like pits in the uk will continue to do so without paperwork.

- seocondly, although I think it's important to have your dog under control, that is not the same as having a perfect dog. Kestral is kept under control and I am very careful what situations I put her in. Do a test and she would probably fail.

Having said all this I do think it would be good to promote classes for dogs and dog ownership, and to in some way make sure that people that are breeding dogs are 'qualified' to be doing so, but just all seems hard to implement.

Found this.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/25871867/B...in-Switzerland

I have to agree with the stance the swiss take. Annually renewed (and revocable) Licensing and dog ownership courses as a requirement of that license.

The costs raised from responsible owners could go to punish the irresponsible.

I would suggest that if you are a responsible dog owner, and paying extra costs to 'punish the irresponsible', then you are being punished as well.

I can't get my head around that kind of thinking. I tend to be very libertarian, though, and believe the government should butt out of most things.

A question. How are the irresponsible being punished? All I can see is they would not be allowed to own a dog. How is that costly?

Ruby