Document type Written answer from the European Commission to question E-003444/2023
Authors: question: Angelo Ciocca (ID). Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
Question: Pet dogs are regrettably involved in more and more attacks on people – and in the worst-case scenarios these are fatal. One such incident occurred last month in Pavia, where an 86-year-old pensioner was killed by her neighbour’s pitbull.
According to Codacons, dogs were responsible for 70 000 attacks of varying severity on humans in 2019, an average of around 190 a day. However, current Member State rules are not fit for purpose, as they do not go beyond requiring the use of muzzles and leashes in public places.
Articles 2 and 35 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union guarantee not only the right to life, but also the right to a high level of human health protection.
Because of this, an EU-wide prevention strategy geared towards limiting attacks and unjustifiable deaths is necessary.
Given the above:
1. Will the Commission draw up a joint European plan with a view to making dog training courses mandatory for owners of the most aggressive types of dog?
2. Will training be made a prerequisite for the most dangerous types of dog, for which a licence would then be issued?
Answer: The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that it does not have any competence in the field referred to in the question.
The issues of dangerous dog breeds and the possible licensing or training of their owners fully fall within the responsibilities of the Member State authorities.
In addition, the Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that, on 7 December 2023, it adopted a legislative proposal on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability[1].
If adopted by the European Parliament and Council, this new Regulation will require suppliers of dogs to provide acquirers with information enabling him or her to ensure the welfare of the animal, including information on responsible ownership..
