Fribourg
An elected official proposes to make the leash compulsory for dogs all year round in the woods, for safety reasons. The animal friends howl.
In the forest, the meetings between runners and detached dogs can end badly.
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“We may soon be forced to tie our animals to the entire town while we are in the countryside, it’s absurd!” In the commune of Gibloux, a possible modification of the regulation relating to the detention and the taxation of dogs makes a lot of noise among animal friends. An elected official proposes to extend all year the obligation to keep his dog on a leash on forest roads and paths. Currently, it only runs from April to July.
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The man invokes security reasons to motivate his approach, while the spirit of the texts in force aims rather to protect the fauna. “I’m tired of being regularly chased, of being in front of aggressive dogs, I’m tired of hearing the owners say: he’s nice, he doesn’t bite,” explains Gilles Barras. I have nothing against animals, but action must be taken to avoid possible bites. ” His proposal was deemed admissible by the General Council office this spring. “For the moment, this is only an idea,” says Syndic Jean-François Charrière. The Executive must now decide and the plenum will decide within one year. ”
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The municipal regulations of the municipality of Gibloux are already rather restrictive since free-ranging dogs are excluded from play and sport places, village centers and residential areas, as well as from the hiking trail around Lake Gruyère. “By describing all dog owners as irresponsible people and unable to train their animal, this character impedes the freedom of our animals”, takes offense at a family who owns a dog and who fights against the project. Note that the Federal Ordinance on the protection of animals requires that dogs be taken out every day, and “as far as possible, without being kept on a leash”.
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