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Dangerous dog or not?

Posted: Thu Sep 7, 2017 8:36pm
13 replies412 views9 members subscribed
Nikki26

Posts: 47

16 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 18 Jun 2017

We are moving over this weekend and bringing our 11yr old Lab and our 4yr old Staffordshire Bull Terrier.  I have been told today that Staffs are classed as a "dangerous" dog in Spain.  Can anyone confirm or deny this and if it's true - what do I need to do? Thanks in advance. 

Kate Bob

Posted: Thu Sep 7, 2017 9:13pm

Kate Bob

Helpful member

Posts: 88

83 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 3 Feb 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 7, 2017 9:13pm

i think you will find that is right,but as us dog lovers  know that is largely false,especially if it has been brought up right in a family.

legally it should be registered,but nobodydoes,if it has a muzzle on in public even on a lead you should be ok.we have a friend with one always un muzzied and comes to the bar regulary and never has a problem.

Malcy b

Posted: Thu Sep 7, 2017 9:42pm

Posts: 120

31 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 8 Aug 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 7, 2017 9:42pm

May have to pay small registration fee to police

jimtaylor

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 4:23am

jimtaylor

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Location: Mudamiento

Joined: 2 Feb 2017

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 4:23am

Bob's quite correct about the practice as opposed to the theory.

Under the legislation, your staffie is ‘dangerous’ and you will need a special licence. In order to get a licence you must be over 18, have no criminal record, undergo psychological and physical tests and have compulsory third party insurance for civil responsibility. The dog must be muzzled in public areas (also in private areas if it isn’t securely enclosed) and kept on a lead no longer than two metres.

Don't be put off by the tests you need, as they're only what you need to do when changing or renewing your living license, at a Reconocimiento medico centre.

Registering on the Town Hall dangerous dogs data base is done automatically by the Valencian Microchip Database (RIVIA, Registro Informatizado Valenciano de ldentificacion de Animals). When you get your dog re-chipped with your new address, RIVIA will tell your Town Hall the owner and dog details.

I'm not sure if what I've just said is fully up to date, but any vet will be able to tell you if there have been any changes to the requirements in recent years.


Yorkshire Lass

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 9:03am

Yorkshire Lass

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Posts: 343

353 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 11 Jan 2017

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 9:03am

I have a Bull Terrier, he is on the list of potentially dangerous dogs, I don't live here but visit once a year. When I first came many years ago I was stopped by the Police and they advised me of the following: a muzzle (bozal) must be worn in any public area, a short lead, as Jim says no longer than 2 meters, and the dog must not be let off the lead in public places. I just wish that all other owners of potentially dangerous dogs or any other dog for that matter adhered to the law, then I could walk my gentle boy without fear of him being attacked by dogs running loose, with the owners trailing many metres behind. We have been attacked several times by the dogs of irresponsible owners ( I don't blame the dogs). Once again as Jim says speak to your vet they will give you all the information you need.

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Lizzy

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 1:56pm

Posts: 43

18 helpful points

Location: Javea / Xàbia

Joined: 23 Sep 2015

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 1:56pm

jimtaylor wrote on Fri Sep 8, 2017 4:23am:

Bob's quite correct about the practice as opposed to the theory.

Under the legislation, your staffie is ‘dangerous’ and you will need a special licence. In order to get a licence you must be over 18, have no criminal record, undergo psychological and physical tests and have compulsory third party insurance for civil responsibility. The dog must be ...

...muzzled in public areas (also in private areas if it isn’t securely enclosed) and kept on a lead no longer than two metres.

Don't be put off by the tests you need, as they're only what you need to do when changing or renewing your living license, at a Reconocimiento medico centre.

Registering on the Town Hall dangerous dogs data base is done automatically by the Valencian Microchip Database (RIVIA, Registro Informatizado Valenciano de ldentificacion de Animals). When you get your dog re-chipped with your new address, RIVIA will tell your Town Hall the owner and dog details.

I'm not sure if what I've just said is fully up to date, but any vet will be able to tell you if there have been any changes to the requirements in recent years.


Hi Jim

Do you know if the law applies to pitbull/Staffie cross dogs?  I rescued a dog from the dog pound here in Javea.  As she grew and got well from her illness it emerged that she had some pitbull genetics...nobody, neither my vet, nor the dog pound informed me that i needed a licence.  Only that at 25kilos a muzzle is required.

jimtaylor

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 2:50pm

jimtaylor

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Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 2:50pm

Hi Lizzy

I won't bore you with details of the law (Ley 50/1999) but it includes cross breeds that look similar to the breeds specified.

It includes dogs that have all or most of the following: strong and powerful appearance; short hair; shoulder height between 50 and 70 cm and weight over 20 kilos; square and robust head with large jaws; wide and short neck; broad and deep chest; robust fore legs and muscular hind legs. 

If I saw a dog matching that description bounding towards me, I think I'd do a runner!

Nikki26

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 3:44pm

Nikki26

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Posts: 47

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Location: La Marina

Joined: 18 Jun 2017

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 3:44pm

Think I'll have to get the tape measure and the scales out - hes not a big Staff. Plus pure bred Staffs are nicknamed "the Nanny Dog" because there are so soft. Yes if they bite, and that's a big IF (statically my lab is more likely to bite than my Staff) they can bite hard. But they are not dogs to be scared off and I think putting one is a harness and a muzzle and a short lead just makes them look like a dog you should fear. But rules are rules - and I'll follow them (hes ok with a harness but hates a muzzle because Staffs open their mouths wide and their tongue falls out when they are hot or tired - not easy when their mouths are muzzled). 

jimtaylor

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 3:50pm

jimtaylor

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Posts: 5612

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Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 3:50pm

I quite agree, Nikki. I've had blood drawn from me on a number of occasions by dogs being boisterous and over-friendly - the last was a cocker spaniel, but never from a 'dangerous' dog. I can understand the legislation, considering the way many Spanish treat their dogs and don't bring them up to be friendly to humans, but it's a pity to restrain a dog that doesn't need it.

Val2111

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 4:32pm

Posts: 55

25 helpful points

Location: Albatera

Joined: 15 Mar 2017

Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 4:32pm

Hi Nikki

We have our Staffords here, we used to breed and show in the UK.  Got our Dangerous Dogs Licence down in the Almeria area of Albox.  Know exactly what you're saying about the muzzle.  My boy has only had his on once (we've been out of the UK for 2 years now) in the middle of Quesada and he was So dejected, it broke my heart to see him so upset.  We have the cage type so at least they can open their mouths, but on the whole, although I always keep the muzzles in the car I have never used them except that one time.  

I walk them out on the road through the campo here for an hour at a time on the end of their extendable leads.  Always call them in for any traffic or people, the Guardia pass us frequently and just smile and say hola.  You just have to be aware some are going to be Jobs Worth types and be careful.  I can honestly say the ONLY problem I have encountered is being attacked by the numerous dogs roaming loose and for some awful reason they always go for my red girl, she's been damaged twice now :-( 

At least in La Marina you should find lots of dog friendly places to walk and hopefully lots of dog friendly people too.  Wish you all the best with your move and new life. :-)

Val

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