CampoPulse: Half of the dangerous dogs are unlicensed

ALGECIRAS (Agencies) The Department of Health has found that 182 of the 362 'potentially dangerous dogs' in the city do not hav a proper license. The department has begun sending letter to the owners, giving them a month to put things in order. Lack of the right document can result in fines of between €2,001 and €30,000. The Junta's decree 92/2005 establishes the obligation of implanting an identifying microchip by an authorised vet. A later decree, 42/2008, regulates the possession of what are considered potentially dangerous dogs (breeds below), a grouping that includes those animals deemed to be genetically disposed to aggression. That law says that an administrative permit must be obtained from the town hall. Among other things, this document certifies that>
the owner is psychologically apt for possession of the said type of animal; that he or she has not been convicted for the last three years of any infraction in connection with possession of the dogs; that he or she has knowledge about the training of said species; and that third party personal and material insurance has been taken out to an amount not lower than €175,000 per incident.

Potentially dangerous dogs can be walked on public property but the person in charge must carry the above document as well as what is known as the animal's 'passport'. Also, remember that the document is for a person, not an animal, and therefore each member of a family taking the dog out must carry his or her own document, which can be requested at any time by the police.

The nine breeds considered to be potentially dangerous are (in the Spanish version of their names):