After the jogger drama

Woof! Stricter dog law applies in Upper Austria from Sunday

On Sunday, the stricter dog law passed in Upper Austria in July will come into force. The amendment was prompted by a fatal bite attack on a female jogger in Naarn in October 2023. Six breeds are now classified as potentially dangerous and their owners must take an additional test like those of large dogs.

In future, six breeds and their crossbreeds - bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Dogo Argentino, pit bull and Tosa - will be classified as potentially dangerous in Upper Austria. Owners of such dogs and also large dogs - by definition, dogs with a height at the withers of more than 40 centimetres or a weight of more than 20 kilograms - must pass an everyday fitness test in addition to the general certificate of competence. This involves testing the behavior of the dog and owner in normal everyday situations such as in traffic or in crowds. The test must be taken in front of qualified dog trainers.

Increased risk potential
Leashes and muzzles are compulsory in all public places for the six breeds and for conspicuous dogs - which pose an increased risk to people and animals. In addition, municipalities are given more leeway after incidents involving dogs and a cross-municipal dog register provides an overview of all dogs registered in the federal state.