Hundehaltung: Erlaubnis für die Haltung eines gefährlichen Hundes beantragen

A permit is required to keep and lead a dangerous dog, as well as to use a dangerous dog for breeding.

All federal states have passed laws or ordinances to prevent the dangers posed by dangerous dogs. The regulations in the individual federal states vary, so in some federal states dogs of certain breeds and groups are considered dangerous from the outset or are presumed to be dangerous. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, such a presumption no longer applies to dogs of certain breeds since July 2022.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, dogs are considered dangerous if they show a willingness to fight, aggressiveness or sharpness (increased aggressiveness) that goes beyond the natural level, have harmed a person or animal unprovoked by biting or have repeatedly endangered people or have shown through their behavior that they chase or tear game or other animals in an uncontrolled manner.

A permit is required to keep and lead a dangerous dog, as well as to use a dangerous dog for breeding.

The application documents required for the permit are provided by the responsible local regulatory authority (Ordnungsamt). You can also obtain documents for the certificate of competence test from the responsible district regulatory authority (district regulatory office).

A certificate of competence and proof of the dog's permanent identification (if available) must be submitted, as well as a certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority in accordance with § 30 Paragraph 5 of the Federal Central Register Act and proof that the dog is housed in a behaviorally appropriate and escape-proof manner.

Certificate of competence for dog owners

The certificate of competence for dog owners is issued upon passing the competence test in accordance with Section 6 of the Dog Owners Ordinance.

The certificate of competence test must always be taken before an examination board of a district regulatory authority; alternatively, proof of equivalent training from another (governmental or non-governmental) body can be provided.

As part of this permit procedure, the required expertise, the suitability and reliability of the owner as well as behavioral and escape-proof accommodation of the dog must be proven.

The dog owner must have reached the age of 18.

The following costs are incurred (if applicable) for

• the decision on the granting of a permit
• the issuance of a prohibition order
• taking the examination of expertise.

If a dog has been recognized as dangerous by the owner or if the dangerousness has been determined by the regulatory authority, an application must be submitted for a permit to keep and lead the dangerous dog and, if applicable, for the use of the dangerous dog for breeding.

The required evidence, in particular the certificate of competence, must then be submitted to the regulatory authority within three months; the deadline can be extended once by a maximum of three further months.

The competent regulatory authority confirms the application. This confirmation serves as legitimation for the dog owner until the final decision on the application is made.

The required permit must be applied for immediately and the necessary documents submitted within three months.

The presumption that a listed or fighting dog is dangerous can be rebutted with a character test. If there is any doubt about the classification of mixed breeds, the competent regulatory authority can obtain a canine expert opinion.

There are special prohibitions and requirements for dealing with dangerous dogs, e.g. not taking them to playgrounds, bathing areas that are not designated for dogs, places for people to lie down, compulsory use of a lead and muzzle.

Please note that the municipalities can also issue bylaws for the handling of dogs, e.g. on the compulsory use of a lead. These can also apply to dogs that are not dangerous within the meaning of the Dog Owners Ordinance.

Even the first uncontrolled bite from a dog can lead to serious injury or death. All dogs must always be kept under supervision outside of pacified property. Dog handlers must be physically and mentally capable of handling a dog safely.

Appeals can be lodged against decisions made by the responsible local regulatory authority (regulatory office) or the responsible district regulatory authority (district regulatory office) (Sections 68 ff. of the Administrative Court Code - VwGO). If the objection is not upheld, an action can be brought before the competent administrative court.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, dogs are considered dangerous if they show a willingness to fight, aggressiveness or sharpness (increased aggressiveness) that goes beyond the natural level, have harmed a person or animal unprovoked by biting or have repeatedly endangered people or have shown through their behavior that they chase or tear game or other animals in an uncontrolled manner.

Contact persons in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are the local regulatory authorities (public order offices).

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the responsible authorities are

• Local regulatory authority (regulatory office) of the municipality, the independent city for the permit
• District regulatory authority (district regulatory office) of the district for the certificate of competence

The application documents required for the permit are provided by the responsible local regulatory authority. You can also obtain documents for the examination of expertise from the responsible district regulatory authority.