General
Any person in charge of a dog on public or private land must ensure that the dog does not endanger any persons or property. Dogs must be kept on leads in parks, and are not allowed in playgrounds or cemeteries. It is the responsibility of the person in charge of a dog to ensure that the dog does not foul the pavement (except gutters) and public areas. Dog owners must ensure that their dogs do not run loose or cause a disturbance by barking or howling. Dogs should not be let loose in open country. They may be shot in certain circumstances, such as if they are found on shooting land.
German Dangerous Dog Legislation
In July 2000 the German authorities enacted legislation on controls of dogs classified as dangerous. To avoid language and administrative difficulties BFG has been given permission by the North Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony authorities to run its own dog registration system for BFG Dog owners.
The legislation affects all owners of named breeds of dog, and dogs of a designated size and weight in Germany. Dogs are divided into 4 categories in North Rhine Westphalia and 2 categories in Lower Saxony (listed below), depending on their breed and size. Registration will be compulsory for certain breeds. The controls involve banning particular breeds, keeping some dogs on leads and muzzled, microchipping, and expertise tests for owners. Character tests for dogs are only required for Category 1 dogs in Lower Saxony and dogs that have been trained to be, or have shown signs of, being dangerous.
The laws have been enacted individually by each of the 16 Lander (States) and differ between Lander immensely. This means that the restrictions facing dog owners in North Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony will be different from each other as well from the other German Lander. Enforcement and the issuing of permits and exemptions from muzzling will remain with the Local German Authorities. It is vital that dog owners comply with the BFG Registration process if they are to avoid fines or other penalties under the new German laws. The arrangements for BFG dogowners are published in various Orders. Any questions regarding this legislation should be put to the Station Staff Officer (SSO) or his staff, for the Garrison/ Station in which the individual will reside. Owners of all dogs who are to reside in either Lower Saxony or North Rhine Westphalia should report to their local Station Staff Officer within 2 days of arrival to commence the registration
Particular Breeds to be banned outright
Dog owners in BFG should be aware that, besides the Lander controls, the Federal authorities are to ban importation of the following dog breeds. These may not be brought into
Germany:
a. Pitbull Terriers.
b. American Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
c. Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
d. Cross Breeds from any of the above.
BFG Dog Owners residing in Isolated Detachments (ISODETS) outside of these 2 Lander will need to register 'dangerous dogs' directly with the local German Ordnungsamt. Any tests will need to be conducted (and paid for) within the local German registration system. Additionally, dogs taken on visits to other Lander will remain subject to the laws of the Lander in which they are registered.
However, dogs that are usually muzzled should remain so, unless an exemption has been issued and a certificate proving that exemption carried.
A breakdown of the breeds affected is shown below by Lander, including the relevant regulations. These are complicated but owners should specifically check for the controls, which apply to their breed of dog.
Import/Export of Live Animals Between the
United Kingdom and Germany
Rabies
Rabies occurs in many parts of the world and is prevalent in Germany. It is a serious hazard, and rabies in humans is nearly always fatal once symptoms develop. The rabies virus lives in the saliva of infected animals such as foxes, dogs, cats and farm animals, and may be transmitted to humans by the bite of a rabid animal or by the saliva of such an animal entering a scratch or a fresh break in the skin. Individuals should avoid contact with strange animals and never allow their children to touch or fondle them. Pets should be kept under control.
The import and export of animals to and from the UK is strictly controlled and is subject to regulations and instructions laid down by various government departments. Enquiries should be made to the appropriate ministry at least three months in advance of a move.
For import/export to/from England and Wales contact:
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food
Animal Health Division
Hook Rise South
Tolworth Towers
SURBITON
Surrey KT6 7NF.
For import/export to/from Scotland contact:
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries for Scotland
Animal Health Department
Division R127
Pentland House
47 Robb’s Loan
EDINBURGH EF14 1TW.
For import/export to/from Northern Ireland contact:
Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland
Animal Health Division
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
BELFAST BT4 3SB.
Avoiding Quarantine When Returning to the UK
What You Need to Know
Quarantine regulations for getting pets back into UK changed on 28 February 2000 for dogs and cats. Pet owners, based in Germany, who prepare properly will be able to take their animals straight into the UK, avoiding quarantine. Other pet mammals such as rabbits, guinea pigs etc. who have been subject to quarantine in the past will still require 6 months quarantine. This may change in the future.
Requirements
Dog and cat owners are advised to carry out the following actions preferably before leaving
UK (however pet travel documents can be applied for in Germany):
a. Microchip. Pets must be fitted with a microchip conforming to ISO Standards.
b. Rabies Vaccination. After the microchip has been fitted the pet must be vaccinated against rabies using a recognised brand of vaccine. This must be recorded in a vaccination book, which must also contain a record of the microchip number. It is acceptable to vaccinate the pet on the same occasion as inserting the microchip but only after the microchip has been fitted.
c. Blood Sample. After the last recognised rabies injection, ideally at least 30 days, a blood sample should be taken by the vet who will then send it to a recognised laboratory for analysis.
Pets Travel Document
After receiving the blood test results, owners should liaise with their local vet to apply for the pets travel document (in Germany they should arrange to take the pet to the local Stadt Vet
(Local Government Vet) in the landkreiss in which they will reside). The vet will check the animals microchip number together with the vaccination record and blood test result. If everything is in order, a PETS Travel Document will be produced which will allow the animal to enter UK without going through Quarantine, however see para 6.106 below.
Time Restrictions
Provided the blood test is acceptable, animals will have to wait 6 months from the date of sampling prior to being allowed to travel back into the UK. Anything less than 6 months will require the pet to be in quarantine for the balance of the 6 months.
Additional Requirements
Between 24 and 48 hours before leaving for the UK the pet must be treated for worms and ticks by a qualified vet (not necessarily a Stadt Vet).
Points of Entry into the UK
Only designated routes will be acceptable. These currently are:
a. Ferry. Dover via Calais. Portsmouth via Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre or St Malo.
b. Rail. By Le Shuttle service.
c. Air. London Heathrow from certain European cities (to be announced).
Document Checks
Document checks will be undertaken by the Carrier operators. On arrival in the UK, all owners will be required to sign a document stating that the animal has not left qualifying European countries during the previous 6 months, the only exception being the current journey to the UK.
Pets Failing to Meet the Requirements
Owners of pets who fail to meet these stringent requirements will have the option of returning the pet to the European mainland or, as stated at para 6.106 above, placing the animal in quarantine for up to 6 months.
Further Information
Further information is available from the following:
MAFF Website:http://www.maff.gov.uk; www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine.
Further assistance, if required, may be obtained from 1 DASU Hospital on 05254 85405.
Should owners have concerns with their documents, DASU have kindly agreed to examine them.
Envelopes should be marked with “PASSPORTS FOR PETS”. Include a SAE and send to:
Veterinary Officer
1 DASU
RAVC
Normandy Barracks
BFPO 16