Germans who have a dog will be required by law to take them out for a walk at least twice a day for at least an hour.
The measure will come into force in 2021 through a modification of the so-called “dog law”, as anticipated by the Minister of Agriculture, Julia Kloeckner.
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According Indian the official to the newspaper Rheinische Post, the 9.4 million dogs from Germany do not receive the necessary exercise. With this measure, it seeks to change the short walks around the neighborhood for long walks that stimulate the animals.
“Dogs need a sufficient amount of activity and contact with environmental stimuli every day,” said the minister, who cited new scientific discoveries about the needs of dogs. These stimuli include contact with other animals and with nature.
“Dogs are not stuffed animals. They also have their own needs, which must be taken into account,” he insisted.
The measure will also prohibit dogs spend long periods alone at home or to be kept tied up or leashed for a significant time.
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The law will be presented in 2021. When it is published, authorities in Germany’s 16 states will have to enforce it, said a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture.
For now, the government’s plans have already met with the skepticism of thousands of Germans, who wonder how the authorities will be able to apply the new rules. Others indicated that older dogs are unable to keep up.
Christian Democratic Union deputy Saskia Ludwig argued that the recent heat wave meant it was impossible for dogs to be outside for such long periods. On Twitter, she said: “I will not take my Rhodesian Ridgeback for two long walks in 32 degree heat. But we’ll jump into the river to cool off. “
The bill also includes new regulations for hatcheries and the transport of livestock
Dog breeders should only be able to care for one maximum of three bitches with puppies at the same time. Puppies should be kept at a temperature of at least 18 degrees in the first two weeks of life and should be given exercise at least once a day.
According to Klöckner, in the future, the transport of livestock in Germany may only last a maximum four and a half hours if the animals are directly exposed to temperatures of more than 30 degrees during the trip.
“Especially in summer, when the temperature is high, we have to avoid that the animals suffer avoidable heat. That is why I am going to apply stricter rules for transport that go beyond the legislation of the European Union,” said the minister.
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