A Leash for the Law: Why New Restrictions on Dogs Have Provoked a Barrage of Criticism

      Deputies propose two main approaches:

      Expand the list of potentially dangerous breeds, which currently includes 12 breeds that are rare in Russia.

      Introduce restrictions based on a dog’s height at the withers. According to the initiative, walking dogs taller than 30–40 cm at the withers may be prohibited for teenagers:

      children under 14 — over 30 cm;

      teenagers 14–16 — over 40 cm.

      In the list of breeds that most often figure in incidents, the deputies include Rottweilers, Alabai, German Shepherds, Huskies, Dobermans and Bull Terriers.

      Animal rights activists criticize the initiative

      Experts in animal protection oppose the proposed measures. The president of one animal welfare fund expressed disagreement with the deputies’ approaches.

      “The problem is not the dogs but the owners. There are no bad dogs. Fines should be increased, rules for keeping animals introduced, and educational programs carried out, not new lists of dangerous breeds invented. Bans won’t fix anything,” Kurs Dela quotes the expert as saying.

      He also drew attention to the lack of educational outreach: “Most clubs focus on breeding and selling, and there is practically no educational activity for the public. People are not offered training courses or lectures on safe walking. These programs are urgently needed.”

      According to the animal-rights activist, the deputies’ initiatives look like an attempt to attract attention instead of solving real problems. “Hygienic dog-walking areas, rules for keeping animals, fines for violations — these are genuinely useful measures. Bans create the illusion of a solution,” he added.

      What has already been adopted

      Recall that the current bill prohibits potentially dangerous dogs from being walked by children under 16 and by intoxicated adults.

      The list of potentially dangerous breeds approved in 2019 includes 12 breeds, such as Akbash, American Bandog, Ambuldog, Brazilian Bulldog and others.