Dog ownership New Zurich dog law to come next year
After years of legal disputes, the new Zurich Dog Law can be introduced after all. Entry into force is planned for the second quarter of 2025 at the latest. From then on, all dog owners will have to attend a course - even if they only have a Chihuahua on a lead.
19.07.2024, 09:59
SDA
The veterinary office will define the learning objectives and content for the theoretical and practical dog courses by the second quarter of 2025, writes the cantonal government in a response to a question from the SVP, FDP and EDU in the cantonal council.
In addition, preparatory work is still needed for the examination of future dog course instructors. In future, anyone who teaches dogs and their owners should first take an examination themselves.
This examination for dog course instructors is also the reason why the law is still not in force - even though the cantonal government had already amended the ordinance in 2021. 14 dog course instructors appealed to the Federal Supreme Court on the grounds that they were already working at dog schools.
However, the Federal Supreme Court was of the opinion that course instructors could be expected to complete a theoretical and practical examination - simply because no other mandatory training was required.
The new dog ordinance extends dog training to all breeds, regardless of size. Previously, only owners of "large and bulky" four-legged friends had to attend a course, but not owners of chihuahuas, dachshunds and other small dogs.
