PressSplit
The requirement for dogs to be kept on a leash continues to be hotly debated after its introduction in the summer. Two community representatives have now contacted the local authority supervisory authority. SYMBOL © pv
Shortly before the mayoral election, the two community representatives Oliver Kröker and Dr. Mike Rinker (“Pro Wöllstadt”) addressed the municipal supervisory authority. Topic: the requirement for dogs to be kept on a leash
The statute regarding the requirement for dogs to be kept on a leash, which is primarily intended to protect wild animals, caused controversial debates this summer. Shortly before the mayoral election, the two community representatives Oliver Kröker and Dr. Mike Rinker (“Pro Wöllstadt”) addressed the municipal supervisory authority. They continue to insist that the statutes unanimously passed by the FWG, CDU and SPD are illegal.
“We find it worrying that neither the mayor nor the municipal council have raised any objection to the decision despite obvious violations of applicable law,” says Dr. Mike Rinker in a press release from the group. He repeats his accusation that the statutes should not have applied retroactively. In addition, it was published in a different version. Another point of criticism: the principle of proportionality is violated in view of fines of up to 50,000 euros. “This is an excessive regulation that does neither the interests of dog owners nor the actual circumstances in Wöllstadt do justice,” says Kröker. In addition, there are no designated outdoor areas for dogs in the entire municipal area, which further makes the statute disproportionate.
Support from magistrate
A ten-page letter was sent to the municipal supervisory authority, report Kröker and Rinker. They received support from Wöllstadt dog owner Christine Yazdani. “Like other dog owners, I am also severely affected by the excessive regulations,” she is quoted as saying. She spoke to many dog owners in town; many would be open to “appropriate regulation”. “The protection of wild animals is important,” says Yazdani. As a judge at the Friedberg district court, she has the necessary legal qualifications, as does Rinker as a lawyer, according to “Pro Wöllstadt”.
Shortly after the statutes were passed, Yazdani announced that he would examine the “prospects of success of an abstract regulatory review procedure” before the Higher Administrative Court in Kassel. It was emphasized that she would do this as a private individual.
The statutes, which are based on the model statutes of the Hessian Association of Cities and Municipalities (HSGB), came into force in July and were changed in August following protests from dog owners. The specified line length was increased from two to ten meters. The breeding and breeding season (March 1st to September 30th) remained unchanged.
When asked, Mayor Adrian Roskoni confirmed that the municipal supervisory authority had asked him to comment on the matter. The mayor reminds that the Hessian Association of Cities and Municipalities did not object to the previous approach when asked. He has requested a re-examination and will then communicate the result.
With the end of the breeding and breeding season, there is currently no leash requirement in the community. As Roskoni says, there have so far been no violations that have been punished by the public order office.
