New laws for keeping dogs in Latvia

RIGA - Following a brutal attack on a nine-year-old boy by an unattended Staffordshire terrier in June, the Agriculture Ministry has presented a list of dangerous dog species in Latvia and guidelines as to what should be done about them.

On July 31, Parliament members decided to go along with the Ministry's recommendations and approved new amendments concerning the country's dog- and cat-keeping regulations.

It is now banned to breed, keep or import pit-bull terriers, Argentine Danes, Brazilian filas, and American terriers as well as any cross breeds from these animals.

The Latvian Dog Handlers Federation, which has the American Straffordshire terrier on its list of possible members, has protested against this list of "dangerous dogs."

Latvian Dog Handlers Federation President Vija Klucniece told Baltic News Service that the Straffordshire terrier should not be considered a dangerous breed, because these dogs are usually only aggressive toward other dogs.

"Humans may be attacked only by those Straffordshire terriers that haven't been properly trained," she said.

The list of dangerous dogs provides very little information. Marite Lina, a senior official at the Agriculture Ministry's veterinary department, had very little to say to The Baltic Times about the list although she is one of its co-authors.

Lina refused to comment on why these particular dogs are on the list or who suggested which dogs should be listed. Nor would she say what sort of research had concluded that these dogs were a threat to people.

Marina Oscepkova, the head of the Latvian Society for Animal Protection, said that the keeping of Staffordshire terriers in Latvia should be restricted.

"These animals do have some aggressive genes. They should only be kept by reasonable people who ensure proper training of their pets so that other people are safe," she said.

Banning certain dogs in Latvia has been a hot potato in the Parliament over the last month. The vicious attack on the child in June was given a lot of publicity. The boy's face was mutilated by the dog, which was roaming around without its owner. The dog ran into an elevator where the boy was with his grandmother, who could do nothing to help.

A criminal case has been opened into the attack and an investigation is underway.