This information was published on 17/9/00 and is
now VERY out of date: click HERE for the
LATEST INFORMATION.
The letter (below) was faxed to our Club via Phil
Buckley (Kennel Club) and details the latest situation in Germany as reported by
Rita Benner, State of Hessen, Federal Republic of Germany.
Letter:
12 September 2000
Dear Friends,
This time the news is good!
We knew that yesterday a court decision
regarding the present regulations would be made. The Hessian Court of
Justice decided in an "urgent" decision that the present regulations are
unlawful and unconstitutional. Until the matter can finally be resolved
at a principal trial, which is expected for the spring of 2001, the
regulations are in essential parts annulled.
First and foremost the American Pitbull
Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bullterrier are NOT
to be castrated or sterilized, and they are allowed to TAKE OFF the muzzle
after they have passed the character or non-aggression test. NO DOG has
to be micro chipped. NO OWNER has to demonstrate to the authorities any
more that he has a "special" or "justifiable" interest to own a dog of the 16
listed breeds.
In a press release Mr. Werner Klinger FDP,
informed us that more than 1000 personal complaints have been made against Mr.
Bouffier with the relative public prosecutor and that if during the final and
principal trial the above court decisions are confirmed, which we fully
expect, then all complainants will get all their costs, an estimated several
hundred million Deutsche Marks, refunded by the State of Hessen.
All this was on the news last night and
flew around Hessen and the rest of the Republic. In a TV interview
Minister Bouffier stated that the court decisions will be observed when
finalizing the new "Laws for the Keeping and Leading of Dangerous Dogs".
I am jubilant, all our protests and
complaints made Mr. Bouffier back down again. Finally, some reason has
prevailed, and dear Rosie and her brothers and sisters here in Hessen are safe
until next spring at least.
Thank you all so very much for all you have
done.
Rita Benner and Bullmastiff Rosie.
END................
Comment:
This is great news! We must still keep the pressure up however, as we do
not want to have to start the campaign all over again next spring.
This respite should give us some thinking
time regarding our next move and we must make the most of it!
We must be as well grouped and organised as
the 'anti-dog' lobby and keep the campaign going until we get anti-dog
legislation (and legislation which infringes upon peoples civil liberties)
retracted and buried for good. Height and weight wasn't mentioned
so it might rear its ugly head again later!
If all breeds (and dog lovers in general)
stick together we can achieve something - if we turn our backs on certain
breeds, then those breeds get picked on (as happened with the UK DDA,
1991). We should continue campaigning against any form of breed/type/size
specific legislation.
We intend to keep watchful and be ready for
any further repercussions - will you stay with us?
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A BIG THANK YOU
from the Officers
and Committee of the National Terrier Club
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Our Officers and Committee
would like to thank our Members and all who
have helped us by
collecting signatures for the petition which we organised
to help fight the "German
Dog Hollocaust".
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Please
Note:
If you have any petition forms
which you haven't yet sent to us, it would be appreciated if
you could do so as soon as possible in order for us to deal with them.
I cannot write to you all
personally, but would like to say that all our efforts have
been really successful and we do appreciate everyone's help,
encouragement and support which has been given to us -
thank you all very sincerely.