Italy Classifies Corgis, Collies, St. Bernards, As Dangerous Dogs
The government of Italy has decided that corgis, border collies and St. Bernards are dangerous dogs and has passed a law prohibiting children and criminals from owning them.
The new law took effect September 15, after being passed by emergency decree. Officials said the move was justified, after a series of pit bull attacks this summer.
There are now restrictions on 92 kinds of "threatening" canines in Italy, including the larger breeds such as Dobermans, bull mastiffs, German shepherds, Newfoundlands and pit bulls.
Under Italian law, minors, delinquents and criminals who have caused harm to people or animals will be banned from owning a dog on the "dangerous" list.
If someone in one of those categories is caught owning an animal on the list, the dog may be seized.
Individuals who are not banned from owning one of the listed dogs must still keep any dogs in the "dangerous" category muzzled and leashed in public.
The law also requires owners of the dogs on the "dangerous" list to obtain insurance - expected to cost 200 euros - in case their pet inflicts harm on anyone.
The new law was criticized by animal rights groups.
"If it wasn’t a television series, Rin Tin Tin would have to be sequestered, because his owner, little Rusty, is a minor," said La Repubblica of the decree passed by Silvio Berlusconi’s government.
Ciro Troiano of Italy’s Anti-Vivisection League warned, "There is now a risk that thousands of dogs will be abandoned as owners seek a way out of the problem."
