Is tougher dog legislation really necessary?
Dogs are undoubtedly the most popular household animal in this country and are considered by many to part of the fabric of Czech life. Nevertheless, despite the fact that so many people here are utterly devoted to their dogs, there is growing disquiet in some quarters about the level of control Czechs exercise over their pets. A number of well-publicised attacks by dogs on humans has prompted some MPs to table a bill before parliament, which seeks to introduce some tough new laws aimed at ensuring greater discipline among dog owners.
Supporters of the bill say that it will ensure that all dogs and their owners can be accounted for. They say it will mean that the behaviour of dogs and their owners can be carefully monitored and controlled.
It is also hoped that the new rules would make it easier to collect dog registration fees. The extra money raised could conceivably be used for cleaning up dog faeces on the streets and improving public amenities for dogs and their owners.
Perhaps one of the most controversial aspects of the proposed legislation is that it carries provisions for all dogs to be registered and identified by way of a small microchip implant. Radio Prague asked some dog owners in Prague for their opinion on this proposal and got a mixed response:
"The same is going to happen soon with people - first [they put chips] on animals and then on people. This is the 'war against terrorism' - remember my words in ten years."
But there are some people who say it's just so that every dog can be registered and that the money raised in registration fees can be funnelled back into improving the administration of the canine population in the Czech Republic...
"If it means that there will be less dog shit in the streets it will help..."
"I think it's a good thing and that it will be better for the identification of dogs. You will be able to locate any dog anywhere and the police will know who its owner is. I think it's a good idea. But it has to be done for every dog - big and small." Even though small dogs probably aren't so dangerous? "I think small dogs are more dangerous than big dogs."
Why's that?
"Because small dogs are more angry..."
"I'm strongly against the idea of any chip and the strict registration [of all dogs]. I think a distinction should be made between dogs that are dangerous and small dogs, which are not such a threat. But for the government and this legislation every dog is the same. So, generally speaking, I'm against this idea."
But the money they use for registration could be used for things like cleaning up the mess made by dogs on the street...
"I think keeping the streets clean is a problem for dog owners themselves. They are the ones who are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. If you are a responsible dog owner, you don't need other people cleaning up after you."
Some of the MPs who will be discussing the proposed bill when it comes before parliament next month share the scepticism of many dog owners. Civic Democrat deputy Ivan Langer feels that the matter has been blown out of proportion:
"I don't think this is Czech society's biggest problem. I'm afraid that it's been [talked up] by the media a little bit. I would spend more time solving the other problems that I see in Czech society, which I feel are more important than this particular issue."
Mr Langer says that the proposed new laws would only create more needless paperwork for local authorities, whose resources are already stretched to the limit.
On the other hand, Dr Eva Vrbova from the Prague Society for the Protection of Animals thinks that compulsory dog registration could be very beneficial:
Advocates of dog registration say that fears that it could prove costly are unfounded. It is estimated that it would only cost dog owners around 200 CZK or just over 5 USD to have the small identifying microchip implanted in their pets.
Prague veterinarian Roman Skala says that the whole procedure is also quite simple and straightforward:
"We've already been doing it for five or six years. It's very easy to apply a microchip to dogs - for both the dogs and their owners. Of course, the only problem is that it costs some money, but the application of a microchip would be as simple as giving the animal a shot. Then we would fill out a registration form, which the owner could send to a national register. Every dog would ideally be listed in one register, but this shouldn't be too problematic."
Besides the proposals for the registration of dogs, a secondary bill is also being put forward, which advocates tougher sanctions such as heavy fines and even long jail sentences for neglectful owners whose dog attacks someone.
Sceptics like Ivan Langer say that this is unnecessary, as current legislation already makes provisions for such punishments. Mr Langer feels it is simply a matter of implementing existing laws more effectively.
Nevertheless, Roman Skala supports the idea of tougher penalties for neglectful owners. He says it would help make dog owners realise that they are responsible for their dog's actions:
"I think it's necessary to have much stricter rules than we have now, because some people are not concerned enough about the fact that their dog could bite someone. So I think that restrictions or even the payment of compensation or jail for such incidents is really necessary. Dogs can sometimes be like a weapon such as a gun, and if some people have problems with their dogs then they shouldn't be allowed to have dogs."
