Dangerous dogs
Attacks on people by dangerous dogs - in some cases with fatal results - have made legislation to combat dangerous dogs necessary. As a result the (Hundeverbringungs- und -einfuhrbeschränkungsgesetz) came into force in 2001. Its provisions include a ban on the import and/or transfer of dogs that are classified as dangerous.
The Customs administration is involved in monitoring the import of these breeds of dog.
The Dog Transfer and Import Restrictions Act prohibits the import or transfer into Germany of certain breeds of dog and crossbreeding of these dogs with one another, or with other breeds.
It refers to these breeds of dog:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
Neither may dogs of other breeds or crosses of these breeds be imported or transferred from abroad if the regulations of the federal Land in which a dog is to be permanently kept presume it to be dangerous.
Provisions imposed by individual states
The regulations for imports from animal shelters must also be observed.
Information about entry with pets
Exceptions from the import ban
A dog that is classified as dangerous may be imported where it is returning from a period abroad and being transferred back into the Land in which the owner has an authorisation to keep the dog.
Similarly, dangerous dogs which are to be kept as service dogs by public services or armed forces as well as guide dogs, dogs accompanying the disabled and dogs of disaster and rescue protection services may be imported.
In both cases, the dog owner must show the appropriate documents (for example: a pedigree certificate, a vaccination certificate, a character test certificate, other certificates from the competent office of public order) on entry, and so provide proof that the dog is the one for which the authorisation has been issued. If the dog is a working dog, it must be shown that there is a certificate describing the purpose for which the dog is kept. The originals of the documents must be presented.
To prevent excessive hardship, the Regulation concerning Exceptions to the Ban on the Transfer and Import of Dangerous Dogs into Germany (Verbringungs- und Einfuhrverbot von gefährlichen Hunden in das Inland) currently excepts the following classes of dog from the transfer and import ban:
- Dangerous dogs accompanying individuals who are not staying in the Federal Republic of Germany for longer than four weeks (particularly intended for tourists).
- Dangerous dogs from the present stock in Germany that are being brought back/reimported
- Security or watch dogs, dogs for handicapped people, guide dogs for the visually handicapped, and rescue and civil protection service dogs.
In these cases it is absolutely essential that the owner possesses the documents necessary to verify the animals (for example: a pedigree certificate, a vaccination certificate, a character test certificate, and other certificates from the competent office of public order).
The competent public order offices and the central customs information service can answer general inquiries, and your local competent customs office can answer specific questions about your actually intended or already initiated clearance procedures.
