Apply for a permit for dangerous dogs

The subject area "Dangerous dogs" includes the enforcement of the State Dog Act (LHundG) and the Act on the Restriction of the Movement or Import of Dangerous Dogs into Germany (HundVerbrEinfG) as well as the associated ordinances.

The inspection of dogs that have become conspicuous and the ordering of a leash and/or muzzle requirement are also carried out here.

Information

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the following breeds are considered dangerous dogs without exceptions:

• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• Pit Bull Terrier type
• and dogs descended from one of these breeds.

In the case of mixed-breed dogs, however, only those descendants are recorded in which the characteristics relevant to the breed are still significantly evident. In order to determine this, the authorities usually request a so-called phenotypic expert opinion from the official veterinarian of the veterinary office.

In addition, dogs are considered dangerous:

• Dogs that have proven to be biting,
• Dogs that have shown by their behavior that they chase or tear game or livestock
• dogs that have jumped at people in an aggressive or threatening manner, and
• Dogs that have developed a willingness to fight, aggressiveness, sharpness or other characteristics that are comparable in their effect.

The breeding, trade and reproduction of dangerous dogs is prohibited. According to Rhineland-Palatinate regulations, adoption from an animal welfare organization is the only legal way to obtain a fighting dog. Dogs whose owners have kept them illegally are handed over here. This prevents a dangerous dog from being permanently housed in an animal shelter kennel and takes into account the concerns of animal welfare and the danger prevention ordinance.

Permit

A permit is required to keep a dangerous dog. A written application must be submitted before the dog is acquired.

Requirements for the permit

• There must be a legitimate interest in keeping a dangerous dog. As a rule, a legitimate interest only exists if a dangerous dog kept in an animal shelter can be given to a private person, or if an owner had legally kept the dangerous dog in another federal state and has relocated to Rhineland-Palatinate.

• the applicant must have the necessary expertise to keep a dangerous dog, for which a theoretical and a practical expert test must be passed. The examination standards and the list of experts appointed by the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons can be found at http://www.landestieraerztekammer-rheinland-pfalz.de/.

• The applicant must have reached the age of 18.

• The applicant must be reliable. As a rule, the required reliability is not possessed by anyone who
• has been convicted by final judgment for the intentional commission of a criminal offense or at least twice for a criminal offense committed while intoxicated, if five years have not yet elapsed since the conviction became final,
• is mentally ill or mentally retarded,
• is addicted to alcohol or narcotics, or
• has repeatedly violated the provisions of the LHundG.

• Liability insurance must be taken out and maintained. The insurance must have a minimum sum insured of € 500,000 for personal injury and € 250,000 for other damage.

Keeping dangerous dogs

Muzzle and leash obligation

Dangerous dogs must be kept on a lead outside the pacified property and, in the case of apartment buildings, on access routes, in stairwells and corridors and in other rooms shared by the household, must wear a muzzle to prevent biting and may only be kept by persons over the age of 18. Two dangerous dogs may not be walked at the same time. An exception to the muzzle requirement may be granted if there is no danger to public safety in individual cases.

Exemption of dangerous dogs from the muzzle requirement

Exemption can only be granted on application. Exemption from the muzzle requirement is granted by written notification.

Prerequisites:

The dangerous dog must never have been known to bite.

Furthermore, there must be a recommendation from the veterinarian who carried out the examination.

For a complete muzzle exemption, proof must also be provided of a test successfully passed no more than three years ago, which must fully meet the requirements of a companion dog test with behavior test.

For exemption from the muzzle requirement in the form that the dog handler is given the option of wearing a head halter instead of a muzzle, an extended certificate of competence must be provided in the practical part of the competence test.

Infirm dogs and puppies up to 12 months of age can also be exempted from the muzzle requirement.

Further keeping conditions

If the dog is left in the care of another person for longer than 4 weeks, the competent regulatory authority must be notified 3 weeks in advance, stating the name and address of this person

A change of residence must be reported immediately to the authority responsible for the new place of residence.

A change of owner and the loss of the dog must also be reported immediately to the competent authority.

Administrative offenses

A fine of up to EUR 10,000 may be imposed for willful or negligent violations of the provisions of the state law on dangerous dogs.

Dog tax

An increased tax rate of € 613.00 per year applies to dangerous dogs. In tax law, other breeds are also considered dangerous dogs, but their dangerousness can be refuted. To register your dog for dog tax or for further information, please contact Department 2.01 - Municipal Taxes.

Dog movement / import from abroad

Dogs of the breeds Pitbull-Terrier, American Staffordshire-Terrier, Staffordshire-Bullterrier and also Bullterrier as well as their crossbreeds may not be imported or brought into Germany (§ 2 of the Federal Law on the Restriction of the Movement or Import of Dangerous Dogs into Germany). Attempted importation is a criminal offense and can be punished with a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine.

Dangerous dogs may only be brought or imported into Germany if, after a temporary stay abroad, they return to a place in Germany where they are permitted to be kept.

Dangerous dogs may also be brought into Germany temporarily on presentation of suitable documents to establish their identity, provided that they do not stay in Germany for longer than four weeks together with an accompanying person who is not resident in Germany. (An extension may be approved).