Update from 3 July 2007:

Kanton Freiburg has implemented restrictive BSL:

http://www.espace.ch/artikel_391336.html

http://admin.fr.ch/ww/de/pub/aktuell...il&prid=74216&

(click on 'communiqué de presse adoption ODCh 27062007_d.doc' for a pdf file with more details)

As of 1 July, one will need to obtain a permit to own any of the following breeds in Freiburg:

American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cane Corso Italiano (Italienische Dogge), Dobermann, Dogo Argentino (Argentinische Dogge), Dogo Canario (Kanarische Dogge), Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff; Mastín Español (Spanischer Mastiff), Mastino Napoletano (Napoletanischer Mastiff), Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa.

(This list is not definitive; the Staatsrat may add breeds to it, or take breeds off, as it sees fit. Bite statistics could influence any changes to the list - for instance, German and Belgian shepherds may at some time go on the list.)

Ownership of pitbulls, pitbull crosses, and mixed breed dogs that are crossed with any of the listed breeds is banned from 1 July 2007. Owners of dogs in this category which were obtained before 1 July 2007 must report the dogs to the Vererinäramt (cantonal veterinary office) by 1 October 2007. It will be decided on a case by cases basis if a special permit will be issued. Dogs granted permits must be sterilized, microchipped and kept on lead.

And... One will also need a permit to own more than two dogs of any breed/cross.


In related news, 20 Minutes reports that Hunde-Online has so far gathered 15,000 signatures protesting the proposed federal legislation.

The petition drive runs through the end of August; please consider signing (petitions are available on the Hunde-Online website at www.hunde-online.ch) if you haven't done so already. Anyone who is resident in Switzerland (not just citizens) is eligible to sign.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, all dogs in Switzerland will be affected by this legislation. If this passes, those of you who own a knee-high sized dog may well find that you will have to obtain a permit to keep your pooch.