[DaveinGermany]

As I've mentioned before ours is chipped, insured & registered with the Stadt (Town) & every year we pay "Hunde steuer" a Dog tax for having the Mutt. Furthermore as of 1st July 2011, the County has brought in more rules to govern Dog ownership.

Anyone living in the County (or visiting for more than 2 Months) owning a Dog has to have it chipped & insured, this goes for "Working dogs" watch Dogs in a factory, yard etc, then from 2013 anyone wanting to own a Dog will have to do a handlers course, theory & practical, which has to be passed.

Folk who've owned Dogs or still have one (for at least 2 consecutive years & can prove their long term ownership & responsibility from 01/07/2003 to 01/07/2013) the test will be waived. And to finally put the cherry on the top of the cake, a central register will be opened & all owners & their pets have to be registered within along with dates confirming the beginning & end of ownership.

So what do you think of that ? I know what I think & I believe this will lead to more abandoned animals in the long term.