WRITTEN QUESTION E-0623/99

by Josep Pons Grau (PSE) and María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Breeding, training and ownership of "aggressive" breeds of dog

In recent weeks there have been press reports in various Member States concerning attacks by dogs.

These sad and regrettable incidents, which have sometimes proved fatal, have generated a wave of fear and indignation which could have unfortunate consequences if the temptation to introduce "knee-jerk" legislation is not resisted, given how little is known about these cases.

Clearly, the possibility of being attacked by a powerful animal which has been turned into an aggressive beast by lack of training, abandonment or ill-treatment poses a risk to the public, particularly the elderly and children. However, there is also the danger of placing all the blame on the animals themselves, forgetting the responsibility borne by negligent owners, breeders, trainers, salesmen, etc. and dividing the canine world into aggressive and non-aggressive breeds, which might lead to calls for the wholesale extermination of certain breeds. Furthermore, there is a serious legal vacuum in this area at Community level and in most Member States.

What is needed is protection for the public and for dogs alike to ensure harmonious relations in a society in which humans and dogs have lived side by side for centuries.

The ownership of dogs of this kind has quadrupled in countries such as Spain and animal welfare organizations have warned that these dogs could be abandoned and left to run wild on the streets if their ownership goes out of fashion.

Does the Commission not consider that a directive is urgently needed to regulate the breeding, training, use, sale, ownership and keeping of potentially aggressive animals?

Does it not consider that it is vital to introduce a total ban on the organization of dog fights and that the penalties should be extended to those who organize, attend and profit from them?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 1999)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Members that it is not acceptable that these sad and regrettable incidents with aggressive dogs take place.

The main purpose of Community welfare rules is the protection of farm animals in the field of farming, transporting and slaughtering. General rules apply for the keeping of farm animals as well as more detailed legislation for the keeping of laying hens, calves and pigs. Council discussions on the upgrading of the current directive on farming of laying hens and on the inclusion of animal husbandry practices in the field of the biological farming are in an advanced state. Rules do also exist for the protection of animals during transport (Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November(1)). This Directive applies also to the transport of dogs, especially Chapter III of the Annex of the Directive.

Community rules also exist in respect of dogs used for experimental and scientific purposes covered by Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes(2).

As for the Honourable Members' question on breeding of dogs, reference has to be made to the national legislation of the Member States, as this area lies within the competence of the Member States. Therefore the Commission does not have the intention at the present time to propose special legislation in the area of dog breeding.

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.

(2) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.