Links to media coverage on the Web A listing of articles appearing on various newspaper sites on the Web

Here are some translated newspaper articles (links included) that will again give you an estimation of what's going on in Germany. The third one is especially serious as many responsible dog owners in Germany do get the notice from their landlords these days, being forced to either abandon their dogs, or having to look for a new home, which is very difficult right now.

Regional Administration demands: euthanize Fighting dogs Now it's official: The regional administration of Cologne asks all of its cities and communities to euthanize fighting dogs. Abandoned dogs which have spent more than 35 days in the animal shelters, up to now were always released for placement with new owners. In the future, this shall not no longer apply to fighting dogs. In a message dated 18 July, sent by the regional administration to all cities, is says: "These animals are not placeable. Instead they should be put down." As it is the obvious aim of the new state dog regulation to reduce the number of dogs. Animal rights people are up in arms against this letter. "We are not the extended arm of the authorities" says Bernd Neunzig, lawyer of the association against animal abuse. "We shall not participate in this." Source: http://www.express.de/koeln/637218.html

A man is crying They are taking my dog away Authors: WERNER SCHLAGEHAN and PETER KÄSMACHER exp Cologne - Dog hysteria in Cologne: after the many fighting dog attacks of the previous weeks apparently nobody trusts a dog owner anymore. Neighbors report each other to the police already, if they believe to have discovered a fighting dog in their neighborhood. Also Herbert Wagner (58) apparently became a victim of theis dog hysteria: Yesterday, the veterinary office of Cologne took the pensioner's mix "Sara" and 11 puppies away. They were taken to the animal shelter. Eifelwall, 11.30 a.m.: Policemen stand in front of the house in which several families live - securing it. In the yard a tragedy is taking place. The veterinarian from the public veterinary office and firemen are taking 11 puppies out of a garage, lock the frightened puppies in cages. The Herbert Wagner also is requested to give up the mother of the puppies. First he refuses to give "Sara" away - with tears in his eyes. He "arms" himself with a chandelier, screams at the policement: "Get lost!" But then reason prevails - he gives up "Sara". His loved animals are taken to the animal shelter in Zollstock. This is where four years ago Wagner got his mix female "Sara" from, gave her a new home. The former zoo keeper and former employee of the Cologne university, section animal physiology, no longer understands the world. "These are not fighting dogs. These animals have never harmed anybody. "Sara" is a mix between shepheard and Golden Retriever. The Public Veterinarian Gabriele Pappenheim, of the local veterinary authority: "These dogs were confiscated for reasons of animal protection. We have to examine the appropriate keeping and state of health." Herbert Wagner sits in his apartment crying, says:"I'm going to fight for my dogs, I will get a lawyer. I am very lonely without my dogs." Source: http://express.de/koeln/584672.html

Landlord and Tenant Law: Fighting dogs not tolerated Tenants may demand that fighting dogs shall be removed from a residential building. This is even the case, if the dogs until then have been friendly. In connection with the tragic death of a six-year-old, who was torn apart by a fighting dog in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg, the Hamburg Tenant Association relates to respective judgments of German courts. According to the Tenant Association the County Court of Gießen already ruled quite some time ago that three Bullterriers be removed from a residential building (Az. 1 S 128/94). Even though the dogs had not been anyhow aggressive until then, the court decided that a danger for the residents could not reliably be excluded. The character traits of these dog breeds are not only the aggression enhanced by training, but also caused by selective breeding, as well as their low sensitivity to pain and their lack of fear. A landlord would act responsible by demanding the "removal" of such a dog. He has to ensure safe living conditions. According to the Tenant Association, a similar judgment was already made by the regional court of Nuremberg-Fuerth (Az.: 7 S 3264/90). Source: http://express.de/wohnen/579134.html

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