For certain breeds

Toddler bitten to death: Dog licenses in Italy?

Two pit bulls killed a 15-month-old toddler in Italy.

(Bild: ©Lunja - stock.adobe.com)

After a 15-month-old child was fatally injured by two pit bulls in southern Italy on Monday, there are calls for more controls on potentially dangerous dogs. The introduction of a license for owners of fighting dogs such as pit bulls or Rottweilers is being discussed. Meanwhile, more details are emerging about the tragic case. And in Austria, too, the discussion surrounding the issue of listed dogs continues. 

According to Italian media reports, the dogs were normally kept in a kennel on another part of the property when the mother was there with the toddler. The two pit bulls belonged to the owner of the house, a friend of the mother, who rented the house from him.

Dogs were not locked up
On that fateful morning, however, the dogs were loose on the property and the exact course of events has not yet been fully clarified. They had attacked little Francesco in his mother's arms, and the woman had also suffered serious injuries trying to protect her child. 

The woman's two brothers, who were visiting the house, finally managed to pull the dogs away and lock them up. The mother's shocked sister told local media: "The dogs didn't know the little one, when he was outside they were always locked up. My sister says they attacked him directly."

"Veterinary office is now taking care of the animals"
The 15-month-old boy succumbed to his injuries. The dogs were taken away by the veterinary authorities. According to the mayor of Campolongo di Eboli, where the incident took place, they had not been conspicuous beforehand: "The veterinary office will take care of the animals." It is currently unclear what will happen to the dogs. 

Following the incident, stricter requirements for keeping such dogs are now being discussed. "We are calling for a license requirement for owners of particularly powerful and dangerous dogs," said Carlo Renzi, President of the consumer protection association Codacons. Around 70,000 dog attacks on humans are reported in Italy every year.

Often used as guard dogs
Fighting dogs are often used to guard houses and properties in particular. A list of 17 "dangerous" dog breeds was published in 2007 in a decree by the Ministry of Health. These included breeds such as the Rottweiler, American Bulldog, Argentine Dogo and Pitbull.

(Bild: dpa/Ulrich Perrey)

The "blacklist" of dog breeds was introduced in response to a series of incidents. From the outset, however, criticism was voiced by various professional associations and experts. This led to the list being abolished in 2009.

Debate continues in Austria too
A discussion about dog breeds and private bite training also flared up in Austria last October following the tragic death of a female jogger. Together with well-known animal welfare organizations, the "Krone" is fighting to put an end to this harsh training of dogs. However, it currently appears that the upcoming amendment to the Animal Welfare Act will only result in new regulations for this critical training and not abolish it. "No dog of a certain breed is born bad, its environment makes it so. You have to start at the other end of the leash and oblige owners to undergo training and, in some cases, to obtain a license," says Animal Corner boss Maggie Entenfellner.