News From Member Countries

News from Denmark

As of the 1st of July 2003 the Danish laws regarding dangerous dogs has been changed.

Some of the changes regards dogfights and the evaluation of dangerous dogs including the possible actions towards dogs that are considered dangerous.

In short: the new laws give the police the option to require that a dogs wears a muzzle, are kept on leash or are put down if the dog has shown behaviour that gives reason to believe that the dog are dangerous. Furthermore the police can demand that the dog is evaluated by a behaviourist. The owner can also demand that the evaluation is made.

The laws also state that not only can the police demand that the dog is evaluated by a behaviourist, but that in fact it is their duty to arrange this - except in very obvious cases.

The justice department considers that the behaviourist has to be a veterinarian, since only a veterinarian can determine whether there are physical disease present that has given behavioural changes. Dsvce has appointed 6 veterinarians with a lot of experience working with problem behaviour to take care of these cases.

A working protocol for the evaluation of these dogs has been made...and thank you to all that has given us help and advice regarding this....the protocol will of course be subject to changes as the members of the evaluation team gain experience; but very briefly put the evaluation will include the following main points:

Evaluation of the dog's tendency to show aggressive behaviour that can lead to danger or fear in the community.
Evaluation of the interactions between dog and owner. Including the owner's control over the dog.
Standard clinical evaluation.