Poland is introducing larger penalties for people who let their dogs off the leash in public, fail to clean up after them, or take them on public transport without a muzzle.
Owners of dog breeds considered to be “aggressive” will also face tougher sanctions if they do not obtain permits and muzzle their dogs at all times in public.
From this Saturday, 10 April, those who allow dogs to roam in public – either on the street or in parks – without a leash can be fined 250 zloty (€55). The same penalty applies to those who fail to clean up after their pet, more than double the 100 zloty they could be fined previously.
Actions deemed to put the life or health of others at risk, even if no harm is ultimately done, will be punishable by a fine of 500 zloty (€110). This includes transporting pets in public transport without a leash and muzzle.
“Even if the owner understands the psychology of his ward and can ensure obedience” it is important for them to comply with the rules, Kamila Siedlarz, press officer of the police station in Żory, told Money.pl. It can “never fully be anticipated” how the animal will “behave in a given situation”, she noted.
Owning dogs that are considered to be dangerous without permission, or walking such a breed without a muzzle, will also be punishable with a fine of 500 zloty.
Since 2003, the 11 breeds considered “aggressive” in Poland and requiring owners to put in place additional “precautionary measures” are Perro de Presa Canario, Rottweilers, Moscow Watchdogs, American pit bull terriers, Dogo Argentino, American bulldogs, Tosa Inu, Caucasian shepherds, Kangal Shepherd Dogs, Akbash dogs and Majorca Shepherd Dogs.
However, around 60% of bites and attacks on children in Poland are committed by mixed-breed dogs, according to Money.pl.
Main image credit: Indi Samarajiva/Flickr (under CC BY 2.0)
Maria Wilczek is deputy editor of Notes from Poland. She is a regular writer for The Times, The Economist and Al Jazeera English, and has also featured in Foreign Policy, Politico Europe, The Spectator and Gazeta Wyborcza.
