And that’s just the start of it. As of September 15, 2008, Geneva’s list of dogs declared as dangerous or vicious has grown to 15. The latest additions are the Bullmastiff, Thai Ridgeback, and French Mastiff, a.k.a. Bordeaux Bulldog.

These are only the most recent in Geneva’s history of dog prohibition. The latest wave began in June of 2005, when a child was killed by a Pitbull Terrier, followed shortly after with the injury of another child by the same breed.

The inhabitants annoyance was felt in the first ever Geneva citizen election, which resulted in a total victory 80 percent in support of stricter laws on the subject of breed control and owner schooling and regulation.

Per Geneva’s new dog ownership regulations, any of the 15 breeds considered to be dangerous must be muzzled and leashed when outside of their own homes. They must be spayed or neutered. Additionally, dogs that are mixed breeds, containing blood of any of the potentially vicious breeds, are subject to the same regulations as purebreds.

Owners who owned one of the identified breeds before legislation was passed may retain the dog, but only after reporting ownership to the cantonal veterinary office, proving that the canine came from an approved breeder, completing a dog training lessons, and licensing the dog. Only one dangerous breed is allowable per household.

Geneva divides the 15 breeds into different categories, with each category holding specific requirements. A complete list of dangerous breeds and regulations can be obtained through Geneva’s cantonal veterinary office.

In addition to provisions that must be made for dangerous breeds, Geneva’s general dog owner population, caretakers of the canton’s 30,000 dogs, is subject to new rules. As previously declared, specific guidelines for the proper keeping of dogs must be followed. But more recently, every dog owner is now required to attend a dog ownership course, regardless of their dog’s breed.

Furthermore, dog walkers must now be licensed.

Geneva isn’t the only Swiss canton that’s tightening the leash when it comes to dog control. Valais, Fribourg, Bern, and Zurich have their own legislation. And, prospects point toward future rulings regarding care and control of dogs in all of Switzerland, including tougher liability for owners and nationwide breed bans.

Whether you’re a lifelong Geneva resident, tourist, or emigrant, familiarizing yourself with the rules governing dog ownership within the canton will prevent tricky situations. Following those set of laws will protect you, your dog, and your record with the law.

Don’t fail to comply with Geneva’s newest, and oldest, dog ownership regulations by acquiring misinformation, or no information. These laws are in place to protect both you and your animal.

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As with any enforced change, we’re likely to hear more from veterinary professionals, as well as pet owners, about the pending Swiss pet housing and care regulations. There will no doubt be friends, and opponents, of the plan.

We’ve all heard that No Man is an Island, and in accordance with the Swiss Federal Council, on September 1, 2008, no guinea pig or budgie should be either.

The new regulations aren’t targeted solely at owners of cavies and budgies, but include 175 pages of rules that apply to circuses, farms, and zoos, as well as individuals that own other domesticated pets.

Advocates of the new rules, prospected to be compulsory in September 2010, include the animals whose care is in question, as well as those worried about unemployment rates in Switzerland. There will be manpower required to enforce these rules, as well as trainers needed to teach pet owners.

Although established with the safety of our furry friends in mind, these upcoming Swiss pet regulations have been met with a certain dose of scorn.

Challengers question the potential of these 175 pages to bring order. Case in point,

How can minimum pen sizes for budgies and guinea pigs be uniformly controlled?

How will a literal ban on dog possession for those who haven’t completed a dog ownership course be enforced? What will happen to canines whose owners are out of compliance?

How will inhabitants of Geneva, where tight dog ownership regulations are already in force, react to 16 hours of additional required instruction?

Farther out of the budgie budget are minimum cage size requirements for large animals, such as elephants and rhinoceroses. Cleanliness guidelines apply to zoos and circuses, which the Swiss government reserves the right to enforce.

Farmers are likely to zoo out about the pending enforcement. Some policy is established, like the ban of chicken cages since 1981, but others might come as a shock. Uninterrupted tethering of animals is now out of the question, while hogs get the right to have a shower on summer days and spick and span pens all year round. And horses, like guinea pigs and budgies, will no longer be living alone.

Similarly, breeders are going to have to rear a new outlook in regard to care of animals on their properties.

The newest Swiss animal ownership laws will not go into full effect until September of 2010, and until they do, the Swiss government wants to stress their desire to encourage education, rather than to enforce with a strong arm. This, however, does not indicate a lax attitude on their part, when penalties are called for. If an incident, such as a dog bite, calls for action, action will be taken.

You may own a seemingly indiscernible pet, like a budgie or guinea pig, or a run an association that displays the largest land mammal alive. Whichever way, be prepared for education, restrictions, and tougher conditions

The best plan of action for any animal owner will undoubtedly be to familiarize him or herself with regulations that apply to their specific animal ownership situation.

Whether you’re a lifelong Geneva national or a newcomer to Switzerland, pet ownership education is not an option, it’s a requirement.

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No matter your destination, when traveling abroad with your pet dog, cat, ferret, bird, or other pet, doing your homework can make your trip with your companion a seamless one. A trip to your pet’s veterinarian for paperwork and other provisions will likely be in order.

First, whenever traveling globally, always carry an international rabies certification for the dog, cat, or ferret that’s with you. Your animal’s veterinarian should be completely familiar with this certificate. The date of immunization on the certificate must be within 30 to 365 days of your arrival on overseas soil. Less than 30 days, the vaccination may not be in full effect. More than 365 calendar days, and the vaccination may be terminated.

The Swiss Federal Veterinary Office in each canton will also check to make sure that the rabies certification was issued in the region of your primary, or most recent, residence.

Additional obligations include ensuring that pets taking a trip with you do not amount to more than five, that they will not be sold, or rights otherwise transferred, once inside Swiss boundaries, and that they are intended to act exclusively as pets.

Importation of canines with docked tails or cropped ears is forbidden.

An examination fee of CHF 88 will be collected for each cat, dog, or ferret at a customs stations or veterinary clinic.

Regulations also apply to pets that are traveling back into Switzerland, but do not apply to pets traveling by highway or railway from other points in Europe.

Complete requirements for specific pets, including procedures and documentation, for travel to Switzerland as an individual with a pet can be found at the Swiss Customs site.

Swiss arrival rules with an animal, as part of a global group can be found at the Swiss Mission site.

Customs policies regarding importation of domesticated pets are in place for good grounds. Among which includes security for you and your pet.

Whether visiting or moving to Switzerland, keep away from a travel nightmare by making total provisions for arrival with your pet. Associate your pet’s proper paperwork to your own passport. Not including it, you and your dog, cat, rabbit, or other travel companion will not be crossing the border jointly.

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And that’s just the beginning. As of 09/15/2008, Geneva’s list of canines declared as unsafe or vicious has grown to 15. The newest additions are the Bullmastiff, Thai Ridgeback, and French Mastiff, a.k.a. Bordeaux Bulldog.

The population’s outrage was felt in the first ever Geneva citizen ballot, which resulted in a landslide 80 percent in support of stricter laws regarding what kind of control and owner education and regulation should be required.

These additions are only the latest in Geneva’s history of dog banning. The latest wave began in June of 2005, when a child was killed by a Pitbull Terrier, followed soon after by the mauling of another child by the same breed.

Owners who owned one of the flagged breeds before legislation was passed may maintain the dog, but only after reporting ownership to the cantonal veterinary office, proving that the dog originated from an approved breeder, completing a dog training course, and licensing the dog. Only one dangerous breed is permitted per household.

Per Geneva’s new dog ownership regulations, any of the 15 breeds considered to be dodgy must be muzzled and leashed when outside of their own domiciles. They must be spayed or neutered. Additionally, dogs that are mixed breeds, containing blood of any of the potentially ferocious breeds, are subject to the same policy as purebreds.

Geneva divides the 15 breeds into different categories, with each category holding precise requirements. A complete list of risky breeds and regulations can be obtained through Geneva’s cantonal veterinary office.

Moreover, dog walkers must now be licensed.

Furthermore, dog walkers must now be licensed.

Geneva isn’t the only Swiss canton that’s tightening the lead when it comes to pet control. Valais, Fribourg, Bern, and Zurich have their own legislation. And, prospects point in the direction of future rulings regarding concern and control of dogs in all of Switzerland, including tougher accountability for owners and national breed bans.

Whether you’re a lifelong Geneva resident, tourist, or emigrant, familiarizing yourself with the rules governing dog ownership within the canton will prevent tricky situations. Following those set of laws will protect you, your dog, and your record with the law.

Don’t fail to comply with Geneva’s freshest, and older, dog ownership regulations by acquiring half truths, or no information. These laws are in place to protect both you and your pet.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Technorati Tags: animal hospitals, cats, Dogs, pets, veterinarian, veterinary