Page 9 - ZAIA III bozza

The emergency of neglected dogs

THE EMERGENCY
OF NEGLECTED DOGS

With your recent proposal, when in the streets all dogs will always
have to be kept on the leash or with muzzles. What is the main intent
of this initiative, which, at the same time, eliminates the black list of
dangerous animals?

The new ordinance on “ defence of public safety from dog attacks”,
which I signed on last March 3rd, contains important changes in respect
of those issued in past years since it has its focus point on owners’ respon-
sibilities and on the objective co-responsibilities of a person who detains
an animal; particularly an owner is always responsible, from both a civil
and a criminal point of view, for all damages and wounds caused by his
four footed companion. Among the prevention measures in the ordinan-
ce there is also the one which obliges to keep a dog on a leash at most one
meter and a half long, if in urban areas or public sites; on the other end
the muzzle must always be kept on hand in case of people’s safety risk.
The list of “dangerous” breeds, quoted in the previous ordinances, had
no positive effect on dog attacks prevention; moreover it is not supported
by scientific evidences, while both scientific literature and formal acts
from the most important Veterinary Medical Associations gave a solid
base to my decision to eliminate that black list and to put the focus on a
correct dog management, mainly based on owners and holders education
and training.

What is it possible to do in order to solve the dramatic problem of poi-
soned baits? You are carefully dealing with it.

I am deeply touched by the enlarging phenomenon of animal killing or
mistreatment through an improper use of toxic and noxious substances; for
that reason it was necessary for me urgently to enact a purposive ordinan-
ce to fight it. Unfortunately all over in our country accidental or delibera-
te dispersion of poisoned baits is frequent, causing high risks not only for
domesticated or wild animals, but also for human beings, especially for
weaker categories such as children. It is necessary, then, to put into effect
all those strict prevention and control measures, clearly quoted in the
ordinance. Actually this act imposes clear duties and behaviours for very
person directly or indirectly involved in that problem. The owners of
domesticated animals, state as well as professional veterinary doctors, Zoo-

12 - SILVÆ - Anno V n. 11