Wasserbillig dog attack - what laws are there in Luxembourg?

(CS/LW) After two German Shepherd dogs in Wasserbillig mauled a smaller pups to death last weekend, also attacking a woman, police have said that such incidents are extremely rare, but warned of the punishments that owners face when they do not control their animal.

On Saturday afternoon, two German Shepherds attacked a woman and her dog. The woman suffered serious wounds and her dog died later in the day. Two passersby tried to intervene, as well as the owner of the German Shepherds, who himself was injured in the attack.

According to police, such incidents are rare in the Grand Duchy. However, there are rules and regulations in place, as well as punishments for owners who fail to comply.

• Every dog needs to be registered with an electronic chip within four months.
• Dogs need to be on a leash in built-up areas, as well as on public transport, in common rooms of residential buildings, on public parking lots, at petrol stations, on sports fields, on bicycle and fitness paths and at events.
• Even where the leash law does not apply, owners need to control their dog and, if necessary, put them on a leash.
• Every dog needs to be registered at the owner's commune of residence, together with a veterinarian's certificate, the number of the microchip and a valid rabies vaccination.
• Dog owners need to be in possession of a valid liability insurance to cover potential damages caused by the dog.
• Should a dog switch owner this needs to be registered at the commune within one month.
• Every dog owner needs to pay a dog tax. Free from this tax are guide dogs, as well as dogs owned by police, the army, customs and emergency services.
• For dogs classified as “dangerous” the veterinary administration can impose additional safety regulations.
• Everyone who perceives a dog as dangerous can contact the commune, which in turn can charge the veterinary administration with an inspection of the animal.

Violations of general laws applicable to all dogs are punishable with fines between 25 euros and 250 euros.

Violations of laws specific to dogs classified as dangerous are punishable with between eight days and two years in prison, as well as fines of between 25 euros and 20,000 euros. Should a second incident occur within two years the punishment can be doubled.

Additionally, the owner can be banned from keeping animals for between three months and 15 years. Both the owner and the dog can be ordered to attend education classes. The dog can also be castrated or, in the worst case scenario, confiscated and even put down, the latter only by order of the prosecution.

Owners, not dogs, are to blame

The Luxembourg animal protection group “Lëtzebuerger Déiereschutzliga” meanwhile has commented that it receives rising reports of animals that display behavioural problems or are badly kept.

The organisation often takes charge of dogs during legal proceedings against owners.

In regards to the incident in Wasserbillig, the organisation said that the owner, not the dogs are to blame. “The owner should have put the dogs on a leash and have them under control in any situation.”