However the events of the last three years have taken their toll. We have seen many restrictions enacted, and although the hysteria has largely died down, attitudes among the general population have certainly changed. I now no longer see Switzerland as truly dog friendly - and I fear if trends continue it could swing into the unfriendly category.
If you have one small to medium sized well trained dog of the cute variety, then yes, you will still have a pretty easy time of it here.
If you have more than one dog, things can get difficult. Many communities expressly enact regulation to discourage multiple dog ownership.
If you have any of the up to 13 breeds (or crosses thereof) banned or restricted in various cantons, your life could become hellish.
Sadly, some people have discovered that dogs are now easy targets in the Nachbarstreit so typical of Swiss neighborhoods, knowing a dog owner will do anything to protect his canine friend. Even more disheartening, the law is often easily manipulated by the dog haters.
I have collies and shelties, neither breed is affected by BSL. However, I worry greatly about such legislation, as should all dog owners - because your dog could be next.
BSL condemns an animal based on physical characteristics alone. Among those affected there are countless thousands of well trained, well socialized dogs, whose owners take their responsibilities very seriously. These dogs have have never put a paw wrong - in fact, many are PAT dogs, search and rescue dogs, service dogs - yet they have been condemned 'preventatively' simply because of what they look like. Experts agree that that one cannot infer behavior based on physical type; such laws do nothing to address the real issue, which is a small number of irresponsible owners. Such laws do so much harm to the innocent, and do absolutely nothing to protect society.
This is very, very wrong.
Yet many Swiss have shown that they believe such propaganda.
Most worrying in the hysteria of the last three years was how many people unquestioningly accepted the tabloid headlines. The neighbor's staffy, who yesterday was your child's best friend and playmate, who you've known for years as a gentle loving pooch, was suddenly a 'devil dog', because the Blick said so. Our politicians saw a bandwagon ready to be jumped on, and sheeple followed suit.
Some dog owners were persecuted, pressured into giving up their pets; remember the very sad 'Much Loved Rottweiler' thread here on EF.
Here in Switzerland, we expect far more of dogs than we do of humans. Sadly, dogs have become a convenient scapegoat; it's easier to focus on 'devil dogs' than to address the many real problems society faces today.
I'm wondering if, when my son is born early next year, that people expect another Devil Dog headline where my son is eaten within hours of his birth.
Then I remember cheese and chicken is nicer for them to eat and they are actually wonderfully socialised and love children.
Thankfully, my vet is onboard. He laughed ironically when I asked "don't you find my dog aggressive?"
Feel sorry for you guys with the so called 'aggressive breeds'
I suppose I am basing the pet friendly aspect on the fact i can take my dog into shops (not supermarkets) restaurants and bars
In the UK this is pretty much wide spread no allowed. I thought it was fantastic when we first came here and could take her with us to most places
We were also fortunate in that we found an apartment straight away which allowed dogs. I can imagine with more than one dog and large dogs it's harder to find apartments
It's such a shame that so many people cannot understand, and it frightens me that so many people cannot move beyond their own prejudices.
I could tell more but not on the Internet.
Yet I've seen it as well.
At a sheltie meet last year, the topic came up - and I was astounded by the number of owners, people who until then I'd have taken as true dog lovers, who were in favor of the legislation. Because they, personally, were not affected.
All dog owners should remember: 'There, but for the grace of the next Blick headline, go I..."
In my opinion it is waaaayyyy too pet friendly !!!
We also rescued a cockatoo while in Japan, and the rules that we have to comply with for her housing here with regards to the aviary size and the keeping in pairs just make no sense. We had a good quality stainless steel zinc free cage in Japan. It was deemed too small for her here. I have met cockatoo owners who have birds in pairs( as dicatated by the new legislation) in large enclosures for their cockatoos and yet the cockatoos pick their feathers.
The legislation has backfired. The rescues are full of parrots given up by owners who could not comply with the new legislation.
Our cockatoo doesn't belong in captivity, but she was bred in captivity and we rescued her from a terrible environment and gave her what we think is a better one. If we lived in Australia she might have had a chance at freedom...this does happen.
The animal protection people like birds to be outside. The parrot in the garden centre near my home was killed a few months ago by a marten in the night. The parrot was clinging to the cage bars when it was attacked. It probably heard a noise and moved from its perch, where it may have been sitting. The parrot became a victim because it was outside, but caged. Very sad.
However, I agree with what MelonCollie points out...things are changing, especially if you own a dog in a category deemed dangerous or if you own "too many" dogs.
Sad to see this happening, as there are good things that the gov't does for dogs (Robidog).
The above is stating a fact that even some dog owners have issues accepting the breed of dog someone else has - even though they should understand that not all dogs behave in the same way, whatever breed they are, and that the way the dog behaves is a reflection on the Pack Leader.
My Devil Dogs are wonderfully behaved and will readily accept a newborn into their pack. In fact, I expect to see them also "become" parents in a way.
I have called the newspapers, obviously.
Please add weimeraners and white dogs to the devil list.
(seriously though, the poor woman was quite upset and very apologetic - I think she expected us to call the cops )
One thing that I always find humor in is the reaction my dogs get when I walk them with a muzzle on their face. Without their muzzles, people pay little attention to them. When I put their muzzles on, most people back away and more than a few have suddenly crossed to the other side of the street to avoid them. I call this the "Hannibal Lecter effect".
I find the general attitude towards dogs to be pretty good here in Geneva, but I do think the people have been told too many monster dog stories by those that have pushed for dog legislation. Personally, I am afraid of sharks even though the breakfast burrito I ate this morning is much more likely to kill me.
I have mixed opinions concerning the dangerous dog legislation here in Geneva. I certainly disagree with completely banning any breed of dog, but I do agree with the training requirements imposed on those of us that do own "Devil Dogs". The yearly test that my dogs must be evaluated on each year here is very basic and really just shows that the dog does not have anti social behavior. Not passing the test only means that the dog must be retested every 3 months until the dog can pass. It is more a test of the owner than it is a test of the dog, which is a good thing.
Oops! I somehow hit the groan button without realizing it last night .... Soooooo sorry!!
Hope you'll forgive me!