Baboon, the issue of gravest concern is that this legislation punishes ALL dogs and owners, not just the irresponsible ones. It is pre-emptive - meaning that innocent dogs - friendly dogs, loyal dogs, dogs who have never ever put a foot wrong - are going to be killed.

As an analogy - take another read through the 'racism' thread - see how people have been stigmatized for nothing other than their country of origin. Now, I think we'd all agree that simply being an Auslander does not make you an automatic threat to the public order, despite the prejudicial attitudes that often abound here.

If, after a night at the pub one drunken Londoner got into a fight and killed someone, and the tabloids started a campaign calling for the expulsion of all British citizens working here, which morphed into a generally belief that EU citizens are responsible for most of the crime in Switzerland, and the Swiss politician responded by refusing entry to any EU passport holder, and ordered all those already here were to be tossed in jail or perhaps executed... well that's pretty much what is going on now.

The Oberglatt tragedy was a terrible, terrible thing, and should never have happened. But this law would not have prevented it..

As LR pointed out, the breeds being banned are NOT statistically responsible for more bites than any other. Secondly, how does killing well behaved, innocent dogs address the problem of those who do not follow the law? Only the innocent are hurt.

I am even concerned about the idea of a vet assigning categories. First, very few vets are behaviorists, or have had any animal behavioral training. I've met a fair few who are clueless about behavior issues, don't understand canine communication or calming signals, and handle dogs very, very badly. I know of one vet who is tops at the medical side of things - but who readily admits to being afraid of dogs. Could he fairly judge a dog? Remember, the vet practice is a terrifying place for most animals - bad things, painful things happen there. A vet rarely sees a dog at his best.

And, the idea that the vet will assign a category at the time of chipping is simply a code word for BSL - a dog is chipped as an 8 week old puppy - what will the vet go on other than breed?

And think about how this will change the relationship of the owner and the vet . The vet is supposed to heal your dog - how can you trust a vet if this comes about, knowing that he will have the obligation to order your dog killed?

I'm all for obligatory Hundeschule attendance. I would expect many problems could be solved if every dog owner regularly attended some sort of classes - in addition to promoting responsible ownership it is a good way to socialize your dog. I'm all for requiring dog owners to carry additional liability insurance. I don't even have a problem with leash laws per se, but I'd like to see the creation of some kind of dog park (similar to what we have in the Chicago area), where an animal would have a chance to get proper exercise and socialization away from the non-dog loving public. Most Swiss gardens are too small to allow proper exercise.

And, I'd really like to see a revision of some of the ridiculous building laws - most cantons stipulate that fences may only be 1.2 meters tall. Please, let me build a 2 meter fence!

I worry that the Wesenstest is, as Gilly pointed out, unfair and down right abusive. Do you honestly expect a dog to placidly sit in a down while a person rushes at him, screaming and brandishing a stick or burning lighter? Wouldn't you feel just a tad threatened if a stranger did that to you?

The SKG's HHB is a better option, but I still think even that is unfair for special needs dogs. For instance, my oldie is handicapped and can no longer do a simple sit. His muscles no longer bend that way. He can plop down on the floor, or stand still for a wait command, which would accomplish the same thing as the various sit exercises... but as the test is presently constructed he would fail because of his handicap. The problem with this kind of testing is that individual needs are not taken into account. One size simple can't fit all.

Another analogy, please see the driving thread... we all know the Swiss driver education is a rigorous process and the license test is very difficult... and look at the comments about Swiss driving. Seems perhaps the wrong things are being taught or tested... or perhaps standardized testing is a bad indicator of actual ability.

A better 'test' if you will, would be a discussion between the owner, and a panel of folks with both medical and behavioral expertise. Determine if the owner understands the individual dog's character, abilities, strengths and weakness, and determine if the owner has a good understanding of how his or her dog should interact with the general public - what situations the dog can, or should not, be place in.

And, we need to promote education among the non-dog owning public as well. How many times have you seen a small child run up to a dog, wanting to pet it, and the parent, if around at all, does nothing to intervene? Few children of my acquaintance understand the difference between petting and hitting - so I prefer to keep children away from my dogs. Or, when careening full speed down a hiking trail, do most mountain bikers give sufficient warning to dog walkers ahead so that they have time to step off the path? Not in my experience - I can rarely hear or see them coming. We both have the right to enjoy the countryside, and are both responsible for taking proper safety precautions.

I understand that some people don't like dogs, I understand that some people are afraid of them. I don't share those feelings, but I do not deny your right to have them. But please, by the same token, try to understand how I feel about my dogs - they mean everything in the world to me. I am a responsible owner of well trained dogs. And this legislation effectively places these gentle, loving, innocent creatures under a death sentence. And does not do a blessed thing to address perceived problems.

Bottom line, we all need to respect each other, and each give a little.

This new law is NOT the way to go about that.