New German Law Makes It Mandatory to Walk Your Dog

[Robert59]

It also bans leaving dogs alone all day

Germany is bringing in a new law that aims to make unwalked dogs and lonely puppies a thing of the past. Under the "Hundeverordnung"—Dogs Act—owners will be required to walk or otherwise exercise their dogs at least twice a day, for a total time of one hour, the BBC reports. It will also be illegal to leave dogs alone all day, or leave them chained up, and puppies will be required to have human company for at least four hours a day. "Pets are not cuddly toys, their needs have to be taken into account," says Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner. Under the law, which is due to be introduced next year, dog breeders will be banned from looking after more than three litters at a time.

https://www.newser.com/story/295141/german-law-orders-owners-to-walk-dogs-twice-a-day.html

 

[deesierra]

It also bans leaving dogs alone all day

Germany is bringing in a new law that aims to make unwalked dogs and lonely puppies a thing of the past. Under the "Hundeverordnung"—Dogs Act—owners will be required to walk or otherwise exercise their dogs at least twice a day, for a total time of one hour, the BBC reports. It will also be illegal to leave dogs alone all day, or leave them chained up, and puppies will be required to have human company for at least four hours a day. "Pets are not cuddly toys, their needs have to be taken into account," says Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner. Under the law, which is due to be introduced next year, dog breeders will be banned from looking after more than three litters at a time.

https://www.newser.com/story/295141/german-law-orders-owners-to-walk-dogs-twice-a-day.html

Hmmmm....seems unenforceable. But I'm happy to know that Germany cares about their canine population. Just wish that Asia did too.

 

[CarolfromTX]

Ridiculous and unenforceable. Big government overreach in my opinion. No one with a job will be able to own a pet unless they can afford a doggie day care.

 

[Don M.]

Dogs need "companionship" too....just as people do. The neighbors across the road have a really nice beagle, and she likes to be around people. When they go to work in the morning, she comes over to our place, and spends her day on our porch....and then goes back home in the evening when she hears their car coming down the road. It's a real pleasure having her around, and I hate to see a dog being neglected.

 

[katlupe]

I have only owned one dog (not counting living with my parents) and she was with me 24 hours a day except for when I had to run errands or visit people. I lived in the country so she did not have to be walked or on a leash. It is a big responsibility owning a dog. The people who live in my building have little dogs and they take them outside, maybe twice a day on a leash and let them go to the bathroom. That is all the outside time they get. It is sad to me because my dog, Nikita could be outside as long as she wanted to be. But these residents here are all older and their dogs are their companions and all the company they have. I wonder though about this law that it might make less people adopting dogs if they can't be left alone. Two people working outside the home might not be able to afford a babysitter for their dog. Of course, people neglecting their dogs is probably what caused this law to be made in the first place.

 

[Barbiegirl]

Different dogs require different levels of activity and companionship so this law seems untenable. But I do agree that dogs should be provided with a potty break if the humans are gone all day. Doesn't need to be an expensive service, sometimes there is a trusted friend or neighbor who can help out.

Maybe a flawed attempt but it's always nice to see legal advocacy for animals! They need a voice.

 

[Sunny]

Exercise their dog at least twice a day, for a total time of one hour? How on earth would anyone ever keep track of that? Will there be dog-watching police stationed in front of every house where a dog resides, to be sure the time spent exercising the dog is correct? Will the errant dog owners be hauled off to jail?

How ridiculous. In fact, it sounds like a joke.

 

[fmdog44]

What prompted the govt. to pass this stupid law? One universal rule about passing laws is to pass on those that are enforceable.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

This sounds like one of those totally unenforceable laws. Are dogs supposed to call the cops, if they don't get walked? I do have to say that I like the anti-puppy mill provisions. Don't know how they will enforce it, though.

 

[Don M.]

This sounds like one of those totally unenforceable laws.

To me, it sounds like the German politicians are having trouble dealing with the important issues....much like ours...and decided they needed to pass some sort of legislation to convince the people that they are actually doing something.

 

[Butterfly]

Exercise their dog at least twice a day, for a total time of one hour? How on earth would anyone ever keep track of that? Will there be dog-watching police stationed in front of every house where a dog resides, to be sure the time spent exercising the dog is correct? Will the errant dog owners be hauled off to jail?

How ridiculous. In fact, it sounds like a joke.

So even if your dog is elderly, sick, arthritic, hurt or recovering from surgery, you're supposed to exercise them for an hour a day? I adopt senior dogs, and most of them don't need or want that much walking, especially if they have a backyard to go out into to do their business.