Do You Have to Obtain a License for Pit Bulls in the UK?
Question by Naomi leigh: Do you have to obtain a license for pit bulls in the UK?
Pit bulls have always been a favourite breed in our family. Unfortunatly about a year ago our pit bull passed at a very old age, 15. Now we are thinking of getting another, but we arent too sure about the new rules in owning them. Anyone have any information they could share?
Best answer:
Answer by JEANIE
Well, I’m not quite sure about the rules in the UK regarding them, but some insurance companies in the States will not insure your home if you own one. Also, in some states it’s illegal to have them.
Answer by glamourl0ve
Here is what I found for Germany:
“Dangerous Dog Legislation” of Hessen, Germany, states:
Pit bulls, Amstaffs, Staffordshire Bull terriers, American Bulldogs, Bandogs, Bull Terriers, and Mastiffs are all labeled “fighting dogs” and are on the “Dangerous Dog List.”
consequences include:
Dogs must undergo a 5-hour, $ 500 temperament test. If your dog fails, YOUR DOG IS TAKEN FROM YOU AND EUTHANIZED. If your dog passes, you must then prove that you have a “just interest” for owning the dog and file a petition to keep the dog. IF permission is granted, your dog must be MUZZLED IN PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES, spayed/neutered and only walked/handled by someone age 18 or older. You must post “Warning Dangerous Dog” signs. Breeding, buying, selling, or giving away a dog of this breed is prohibited. Similar laws exist in England. Laws which have been proven not to affect dog bite statistics.
Countless numbers of family pets, pit bulls and Amstaffs as well as dogs that “look like” these breeds, have since been euthanized. Dog owners have been terrorized by neighbors and passerby. In one case, a dog was set on fire and killed in front of its owner. (see link to article at right)
1998 dog bite list for Germany, by breed:
1. German Shepherd Dog mixes: 2,379 2. German Shepherd Dog: 1,956 3. Rottweiler: 542 4. Pit bull: 320 5. Doberman Pinscher: 223 (Note: the German Shepherd Dog is NOT ON THE DANGEROUS DOG LIST!)
http://www.pitbullpress.com/ARTICLES/GERMANY.html
This is very sad. I love all those ‘bully breeds’. I have met my fair share of bad dogs but they were abused and neglected. If you read the story in the link .. it was about an American Pitbull Terrier and an Amstaff killed a schoolboy in Germany and the dogs were shot by police at the park. One dog was found to not eat in THREE days and had DRUGS in its system. Its not the owners huh? Obviously a well treated pitbull (like yours and so many others) exist.
I hope this helps a bit!