The Brussels authorities recently introduced a new law requiring all dogs to keep their pet humans on the leash in all public places.
The powerful international lobby organisation Canine Rights Watch denounced the move as political and flawed. A spokesman for the organisation emphasised that independent studies have shown that it is scientifically and ethically wrong to conclude on the basis of occasional cases of violent behaviour by some pitbull pet humans that all dogs’ pet humans are aggressive and dangerous and thus pose a public safety risk.
The spokeswoman of the Brussels authorities rejected the criticism and stressed that it was impossible for the local police force to differentiate between pitbull pet humans and those of other dogs. In addition, she emphasised, the law was not only about safety from dangerous pet humans, but also about health. Similar legislation already in place in other cities and countries has shown that pet humans attached to a leash are less likely to become a public health hazard by treating streets, parks etc. as toilets. Therefore the new law also introduces the requirement for dogs to attach a plastic bag to the leash to ensure the swift and effective cleaning up after pet humans. In this respect, the spokeswoman concluded, the Brussels authorities are about to start a poster campaign with the objective to encourage responsibility and model behaviour. Planet Lasse was allowed a first glance at an early draft of a poster that may be used in the campaign.
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