Dog keeping rules in various coutries

[Juniorwolf]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

I want to ask all the dog lovers in various countries for some help. Here, in Lithuania, we have some stupid rules about keeping dogs in towns and I am in a group of people who want to change it. Could You all please send the rules of keeping dogs in Your country? The original language is OK, we will find the ways to translate it.

Please, send it to [email protected]

Or you can publish here, maybe someone will find it usefull.

Thanks a lot!

Here in Denmark we have only very few rules about keeping dogs in the town/city :

The dogs must not bother the neighbours by barking or howling all day long.
The dogs must at all times have a leash on except in special places where there are signs saying so or if the owner have full control over the dog.
The owner must always pick up the shit from the dog.
All dogs must have an insurance(for damage on other dogs, people or other peoples property).
All dogs must have adress and phone number of the owner attached to the collar of the dog.

At the moment the politicians have big discussion/debate about all muscle/"figthing"-dogs(Staffordshire terrier, bulldog, etc.) should be banned or if there should be an age limit(25 years) for owning such a dog and if owners of such dogs should have a special licence to own it and if such dogs should wear a muzzle at all times when they are in public places. This is ONLY about muscle/"figthing"-dogs.

Some apartmentcomplexes have rules saying that only small dogs is allowed others have rules saying no muscle/"figthing"-dogs is allowed.

....What are the rules in your country ?

Greetings Rolf

[GalomyOak]

In the US, each town or city makes it's own laws about dogs. In some cases, states also make laws about dogs - federal law only requires that dogs being imported be vaccinated for rabies, or be maintained at the owner's home until the dog is old enough to be vaccinated (this is rarely enforced though, unless the puppy bites someone or causes some other problem).

Each town is different - some ban "muscle dogs", and also rottweilers, dobermans, etc. Some states or towns ban the ownership of wolf hybrids - so far there have been no problems with CSVs that have not been solved by the FSS/AKC registration papers (to my knowledge). Some places have laws requiring leashes - others do not. Many times in rural areas (such as the area I live in) the laws do not require hunting dogs, or dogs being trained, to have a leash. All towns/cities require dogs to display a metal license (which can be obtained for a $5-10 fee, less for altered dogs - and also a rabies certificate). All towns/cities require the owner to clean up after the dog.

If a dog bites someone, it may be deemed a dangerous or vicious dog, and have to follow very strict rules (if it is not euthanized). Those laws require the owner to carry insurance on the dog, to wear a muzzle and leash when out in public, and to be housed in a building with a fence that can not be jumped over, opened, or dug out - it must also be locked. The license for these dogs is more expensive, and there is a public record (anyone can view it), saying who owns the dog, a description of the dog, and the address.

Dogs usually may not ride on public transport (except for airplanes). They may not enter facilities with food, or in most stores. There are large pet stores, and some independent stores that will allow dogs in - if the dog bites someone, the store may have to pay the victim. These laws do not apply to dogs for the blind - they may enter anywhere at any time.

It's required that all dogs be given shelter from sun, rain, wind, etc...but they may live outside. In some places, it is illegal to leave a dog on a chain, but again, this is usually not enforced. The dog must have food, water, and proper medical care. It may not bother the neighbors with barking or howling.

Just as in Rolf's post, apartments may prohibit all dogs, or certain dogs (such as breed or size), and they may charge an extra fee for allowing pets (cats included). If you own a home, your homeowner's insurance may ban certain breeds, or charge extra because of the "risk" of certain breeds.

Very interesting post!

Marcy

[Chance]

Originally Posted by wildenmorgen

In the US, each town or city makes it's own laws about dogs. In some cases, states also make laws about dogs....

Marcy

If you are part of a homeowners association, such as myself, they also sometimes apply limitations/rules such as number of dogs you may have, ours is 2. (We have 3)

It seems to be, for the most part, that so long as you take care of the animal and it is not disruptive and/or harmful to yourself or others you won't have a problem.


(P.S. You could also wear sunglasses and carry a cane wherever you go )

[Vaiva]

Originally Posted by Chance

If you are part of a homeowners association, such as myself, they also sometimes apply limitations/rules such as number of dogs you may have, ours is 2. (We have 3)

It seems to be, for the most part, that so long as you take care of the animal and it is not disruptive and/or harmful to yourself or others you won't have a problem.


(P.S. You could also wear sunglasses and carry a cane wherever you go )

You see, it is similar in Lithuania. I should walk my dog with a muzzle, but I don't. People have to gather their dog's shit - but a lot of people don't. And of course they can own two dogs or two cats or a cat and a dog in a flat (and litters till 4 months), but they have much more of them (also nobody counts boas, iguanas, ferrets, rabits, big parrots etc.) Still, even if nobody is against you keeping 3 () chihuahuas in a 100 square meters flat, you are a transgressor So I do not want to be one

[draggar]

Originally Posted by GalomyOak

Dogs usually may not ride on public transport (except for airplanes). They may not enter facilities with food, or in most stores. There are large pet stores, and some independent stores that will allow dogs in - if the dog bites someone, the store may have to pay the victim. These laws do not apply to dogs for the blind - they may enter anywhere at any time.

To expand a little more - not just "seeing eye dogs" but all service dogs (dogs that help people live and get around - hearing ear dogs, seizure alert dogs, mobility assistance, etc..) like what Zorro does and what Luna will be trained to do. Despite what their owners think, "therapy" dogs and emotional support dogs are not considered service dogs.

But - even if it is a service dog, if it is causing a disturbance (excessive barking, messing, biting, pooing etc..) then the establishment does have the right to ask the owner to leave with the dog.

The state of Florida actually banned breed specific legislation (Miami-Dade was grandfathered in with their pit bull ban) but it is under the threat of being removed form the law allowing municipalities to ban breeds as they see fit (yes, I'm going to fight this).

[Vaiva]

Well, some good news
In Vilnius (capital of Lithuania) dogs still have to wear muzzles. BUT, the dogs, who pass a special socialization test (walking on leash, recall, testing dog's behaviour in city among people, cars and so on) can be walked without that stupid thing - muzzle So seems like Brukne is the first (?) wolfdog here to pass this test. We got a little yellow card with her and my name on it and finally can LEGALLY walk in Vilnius without a muzzle!!! It is such a relief and such a good feeling
(bigmouth tinhorn )

[Rona]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

Well, some good news
So seems like Brukne is the first (?) wolfdog here to pass this test. We got a little yellow card with her and my name on it and finally can LEGALLY walk in Vilnius without a muzzle!!! It is such a relief and such a good feeling

Congratulations!

In fact Polish strict regulations are not strictly obeyed, i.e. an owner with dog on a leash in the street (without a muzzle!) or in a muzzle, but unleashed on a common meadow, in most cases would not be punished. Unless during short periods when there are 'anti-dog campaigns' after somebody had been bitten by a dog and the case was raised in media.

However, what irittates me personally is the language used in notices in public places rooted in the old communist times, when a citizen was treated lika a naughty child, not a responsible adult person:



Words: "forbidden", "not allowed", "will be punished" etc. are the core of such notices!!!

Just compare a very kind, rational and I suppose, more effective, notice in St. James's Park, London:



Maybe time has come to change not only the stupid regulations, but also the language which reflects the relationship between citizens (including dog owners!) and the authorities?

[Vaiva]

Originally Posted by Rona

However, what irittates me personally is the language used in notices in public places rooted in the old communist times, when a citizen was treated lika a naughty child, not a responsible adult person:

Good point Dog owners need to have their representatives in parlaments and municipalities

[Grin]

Originally Posted by Rona

Just compare a very kind, rational and I suppose, more effective, notice in St. James's Park, London:

What strikes me most is not even the word "please" but the fact of giving the reason of this restriction.
The truth is Polish restrictions concerning dogs are in most cases baseless (that means; there is not any real necessity for them) therefore the only way of their authorization is such language as in given example, because their authors are not able to give the reasons even if they wanted.

[wolfin]

Vaiva, now I can oficial congratulation me first dog with "Girios dvasia" in name with this super news.
You and Brukne are the best I hope and moore lithuanian wolfdog make this exam and can walk without stress in city

[Vaiva]

Originally Posted by rolf

The dogs must not bother the neighbours by barking or howling all day long.
The dogs must at all times have a leash on except in special places where there are signs saying so or if the owner have full control over the dog.
The owner must always pick up the shit from the dog.
All dogs must have an insurance(for damage on other dogs, people or other peoples property).
All dogs must have adress and phone number of the owner attached to the collar of the dog.
Greetings Rolf

Do you need an official agreement of your neighbours if you want to have a dog?
Do dogs in public places have to be walked only with a muzzle on?
(in LT, Vilnius - both YES)
How do these special places for walking dogs look like? Are you allowed to enter parks and beaches with your dog?
We are finally allowed to enter parks, what a happines
Insurance is something new for me, we only pay monthly fee for having dog/cat.
Aa, and is there a number of dogs/cats that you are allowed to have in a flat?

Thanks, Marcy, seems like you have also strict rules...

[tikaani]

Originally Posted by rolf
The dogs must not bother the neighbours by barking or howling all day long.
The dogs must at all times have a leash on except in special places where there are signs saying so or if the owner have full control over the dog.
The owner must always pick up the shit from the dog.
All dogs must have an insurance(for damage on other dogs, people or other peoples property).
All dogs must have adress and phone number of the owner attached to the collar of the dog.
Greetings Rolwe

we have prity much the same rules over in the uk, there is no diferance having a dog in the city of the country side,
i shall have a look and see if i can find some afficial paper work about it for u
e

[Juniorwolf]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

Do you need an official agreement of your neighbours if you want to have a dog?

Well if you have your dogs inside your house or have only 2-3 dogs living outside, no official agreement is needed, but if you have more dogs living outside(in the city) you must have an official agreement from your neighbours, but this is a little tricky, because if your dogs are quiet(no barking/howling), you will need no official agreement.

Originally Posted by Vaiva;

Do dogs in public places have to be walked only with a muzzle on? (in LT, Vilnius - both YES)

Only dogs who have been ordered by the police to wear a muzzle due to biting other people or dogs, must wear a muzzle in public places(the law will maybe change for muscle-dogs only).

Originally Posted by Vaiva;

How do these special places for walking dogs look like? Are you allowed to enter parks and beaches with your dog?

In most parks, forrests, etc. it is allowed to walk with your dog, but only on the leash, some parks, forrests, etc. have some areas where it is allowed to let the dog free.
In the period from 1.October - 31.March dogs are allowed at the beach and are allowed to run free, in the rest of the year only at some beaches dogs are allowed.

Originally Posted by Vaiva;

is there a number of dogs/cats that you are allowed to have in a flat?

This is only the owners of the apartment complex who decides how many pets is allowed, so this is not law, but rules from the landlord.

It is allowed to bring your dog in almost all public transports(in few busses it is not allowed), but only 1 dog for 1 person, but almost every day I travel by public transport with both of my dogs without any problems.

Normaly you can go where ever you want, with your dog as long as it is on the leash and not bothering other people, with exceptions from shops and places with food(dogs are only allowed in places with food if they have an outside area, but still not all places with outside areas welcome dogs).

Greetings Rolf

[Vaiva]

Thank you, people, you are great

At the moment I am working on the new version of the dog keeping rules in Vilnius and hope the municipality will be friendly to us... It is a pitty, a lot of people, who decide upon these rules, still think the dog has to live in a countryside on a metal chain

[Grin]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

Oh yes, the same is usually hapenning in Lithuania... At the moment ALL the dogs have to be walked with muzzles (I don't do this ), youcan not enter parks or allow your dog to swim in public beaches Even in a dogs playground officially dog hs to wear a muzzle Stupid, isn't it?...

Hey, could you please write the rules of keeping/walking a dog in Poland in a topic "Dog keeping rules... blablabla.."?

I'm not the right person to write about the rules, I'm afraid, because I'm not a specialist in it at all, and my information wouldn't be precise.
But on the other hand, our Polish rules are not precise either, as usuall.

As far as I know each town has its own rules. And of course they mostly choose the most restrictive ones; as for example here in Katowice, where dogs should wear both; the leash and the muzzle at the same time (!) when in public places, which in practise means... always...
And what's more; there is no official playground for dogs in Katowice. So you see...

As for the beaches I heard that there are places, where you can come with a dog, but I'm not sure if all year round.

Oh! And there of course is the controversial law which lets any hunter with a gun to shoot at a dog wich is without its owner and looks... wild.
This law was introduced to prevent forest animals beeing chased by the wild dogs and thus to force controll over their dogs on the owners.
But of course so far there were accidents, when this law was abused and people lost their dog friends during ordinary walks...

That's what I can write.
I doubt it will be of any help to you.
There are people who have much more information than me.

Regards

[Vaiva]

So this seems to be just the same in both neighbour countries - Poland and Lithuania "No education, just forbiding"

[Grin]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

So this seems to be just the same in both neighbour countries - Poland and Lithuania "No education, just forbiding"

You've touched the very point.