Dog Attack Prompts Leash, Muzzle Rules in Germany

Authorities have ordered leash and muzzle requirements for four Bernese Mountain Dogs after an 11-year-old boy was severely injured in an attack in southwestern Germany. The mayor of the Waldfischbach-Burgalben municipality, Felix Leidecker, stated that the local regulatory authority is handling the case. The dogs could potentially be removed from their owner in extreme circumstances, and an assessment of the animals has been commissioned.

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For the dogs, a leash and muzzle requirement has already been ordered.

This incident brings the duties of dog owners in Germany into sharp focus. Generally, owners must keep their animals appropriately and supervise them to prevent any danger. They are also liable for any harm caused by their dogs. While liability insurance is mandated in some German states, it is not a requirement in Rhineland-Pfalz.

Unlike some other federal states, Rhineland-Palatinate does not require a "dog driving license" for private owners. This license aims to assess and teach owners how to correctly interpret their dog's behavior and recognize and mitigate everyday risks. The license typically involves theoretical and practical exams. However, a mandatory proficiency test is required for owners of "dangerous dogs," which includes legal guidelines for their keeping.

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In the extreme case, the dogs could be taken away from the owner.

In 2025, Rhineland-Palatinate recorded 358 dog bite incidents involving injured people, a slight decrease from 388 in 2024. Experts cite a lack of knowledge, insufficient boundary setting, inadequate acclimatization to stressful situations, and misjudging dog behavior as factors increasing the risk of severe bites. Poor supervision of interactions between dogs and children can also elevate this risk.

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It serves to check and convey how owners can correctly assess their animal, its behavior and body language, and whether they are able to recognize and reduce risks in everyday life.