Want to stay informed?
Subscribe!
German dogs on the move!
The Minister of Agriculture, Julia Klöckner, introduces the Hundeverordnung, which states that dogs should be walked for an hour twice a day. Klöckner says she is relying on new scientific research showing that dogs need "an adequate level of activity and contact with environmental stimuli," including other animals, nature and people.
According to the law, dogs are no longer allowed to be alone at home for extended periods. It may also be forbidden to leash a dog for a long time. “Dogs are not cuddly toys. They have their own needs, which must be taken into account, ”said the minister.
The big question is how Klöckner wants to enforce the law. A spokesperson says that the states themselves are responsible for this, according to The Guardian.
Dog owners are skeptical about the idea. "I find it very patronizing," said Bärbel Kleid, owner of five-year-old Sam.
“Who is going to check it? Then the neighbors will call the police if they think I'm not going to walk with Sam long enough? Moreover, he can't even last two hours a day. ”
"The next step is to be sure to tell cat owners how often to change the litter box," said a sarcastic Walther Schweiz.
© ANP / HH