It Could Happen Here: BSL a Reality in Switzerland

This should serve as a red flag to dog owners here in the United States. If we do not act to stop Breed Specific Legislation we could end up with restrictions like they have adopted in Switzerland. The following is from the Swiss news agency swissinfo.ch.

September 15, 2008 - 4:59 PM

Three dog breeds added to Geneva blacklist

Bullmastiffs, Thai ridgebacks and French mastiffs – also known as Bordeaux bulldogs – have been banned in Geneva because they are potentially vicious.

Regional authorities on Monday added the three breeds to a list of dogs considered too dangerous to keep as pets. Fifteen breeds are now banned in the canton.

The new law is not retroactive for pets already in the canton, but those who own the breeds must report them to local veterinary affairs offices.

The move comes after Geneva residents in February voted overwhelmingly in favour of banning vicious dogs following highly publicised attacks on children. Other cantons have also banned breeds of vicious dogs, including Fribourg and Valais.

In August 2006 a child was disfigured by a pitbull terrier in a Geneva city park. In 2005 a six-year-old boy in a Zurich suburb was mauled to death by three pitbull terriers.
Other banned breeds include Rottweilers, pitbull terriers and American Staffordshire