More than three years after the approval of an initiative forbidding the dangerous dogs, Geneva is equipped with several laws to supervise better the holders of dogs and their companions on paws. A fiscal sector aims at improving the tax collection on dogs.

The first law adopted on Friday evening by the Grand Conseil genevois plans theoretical and practical courses for all the holders of dog, federal requirement, as well as specific examination for the animals of more than 25 kilos. As wanted the people, dogs belonging to races considered dangerous are forbidden.

According to the member of the Council of State Pierre-François Unger, the law was concocted after six months of tightened negotiations between initiants, the veterinarians, the SPA and " the other people who considered that we went too far ". Minister PDC called not to modify this subtle balance by amendments.

The law is completed by a fiscal aspect. This second widely accepted text simplifies the system of tax collection on dogs by working henceforth by list as the majority of cantons of French-speaking Switzerland. The tax is progressive according to the number of dogs.

A la niche

Finally the Grand Conseil also strengthened the means of control so that the owners of dog cannot pass any more between the stitches of the net. At present, on 34 ' 000 dogs of the canton only 16 ' 000 carry a medal, raised deputy Verte Emilie Flamand.

A new IT base called conveniently "ALANICH" will so allow to put in network the data of all the actors asked to apply the law to dogs, that is the department of the regional business, of the economy and the health , the department of the finances and the municipalities.

The investment is calculated to 1,3 million francs for a return of 1,6 millions, among which 900 ' 000 of the additional fiscal receipts. Some gratings of teeth were listened to the right to the evocation of these figures, but without consequence on the final result of the vote.

Epilogue

With this train of laws, Geneva closes its legislative serial on dogs. It had begun in 2006, when the Council of State had decided to return the compulsory muzzle for all the dogs. A measure which was finally never applied. The success of the initiative 137 for the ban on big dogs and the difficulties followed itself implementing it.

source in French

another article : http://www.tdg.ch/geneve/actu-geneve...ive-2011-03-19 also in French, a bit more precise.

Translated with Reverso and corrected by myself, I hope it's good, you're welcome to correct it if not.

anti-dog legislation is always disgusting. It plays on (or is reactive to) people's uninformed and irrational fears of dogs. It's really disappointing that the SKG/SCS couldn't do more to forestall this dog discriminatory movement.

In Neuchatel all new dog owners have to follow a dog keeper's course, and all dogs have to have a microchip. I am in favour of the microchip rather than the metal tag- as it is easier to reunite dogs with owners when lost or in case of an accident- but also to identify dogs that attack. It also serves as a deterrent for those ********ds who take dogs on then kick them out in the countryside when they go on hols, or when dogs become too big for their flat, or too badly behaved because they have been mistreated or not trained. Our dog was found starving by the roadside in the middle of nowhere in the Valais, and if I caught the ex owners I'd do things to them I can't write on this here forum.

And everyone should be aware that dog legislation exists at three levels: the federal, cantonal, and Gemeinde.

In general, animal welfare is the competency of the federal government, animal control falls in the competency of the cantons.

At the federal level, applicable to all resident in Switzerland, is the federal Animal Welfare Law, commonly referred to as the TSchV (Tierschutzverordnung) and TSchG,(Tierschutzgesezt). This law covers almost all aspects of animal husbandry.

Most dog owners are affected by the federal laws through the requirement to microchip and register a dog, and through the SKN (Sachkundenachweis) requirements. (All first time dog owners must take a theory course before acquiring a dog, and all owner must take a practical course with each and every dog adopted after 1 Sept 2008. ) However the law also regulates many aspects of living with dogs, including dog breeding and commercial dog care including dogsitting/walking.

The federal law is the minimum - cantons are free to set further regulations/restrictions as they see fit. One should be aware of what is required in one's cantons of residence, as well as each canton one visits. Some cantons are fairly easy going (ZG springs to mind), some have implemented draconian BSL (ZH, VS), some spread the misery around equally (my own canton of SZ, where all dogs must be on lead at all times in public). There are 26 sets of rules - an overview can be found here:

http://www.tierimrecht.org/de/tiersc...echt/index.php

In addition to cantonal regulations, a Gemeinde may implement further rules, usually dealing with the dog tax or on-lead/ dogs forbidden zones.

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I would urge each and every dog owner to research the regs that affect you, and to abide by them at all times. Be a responsible owner - because it was irresponsible owners who brought about the tide of hysteria that resulted in these anti-dog laws.

And I urge each and every dog owner to do what you can to speak out against /campaign against /join those working for the repeal of BSL. Because your dog could well be the next breed/mix/random set of physical charastics caught in the cross-hairs.

(Hopping off soap box now... )

If all owners were responsible, I'd agree with you. It's those irresponsible owners who are the cause of this kind of law - they've caused the people to have irrational fear. As ever, it's the law abiding, responsible dog owner who take the clout. I wonder if it's possible to have some kind of regulation, which only affects bad owners?

And in the meantime cats and most other domestic animals have little protection. Our 2 cats were found by the M1/M69 junction, in a taped cardboard box, with 10 kitttens, almost dead, about 10 years ago.