Tragic news out of Denmark, where a man has killed himself after his dog was taken from him and euthanized. The dog was taken and killed in adherence with their Breed Specific Legislation on Pit Bulls. The dog had done nothing wrong, but was living in a place where it was considered the wrong breed.

The dog named Zanto, belonged to 27-year-old Dan. Dan was given eight days to prove his dog was not one of the country’s banned breeds. When he was unable to do so, Zanto was removed by authorities from his home to be destroyed. Too upset to continue with his life and feeling like he had failed his dog, Dan overdosed on pain medication and passed away.

On April 19, the Facebook page, Foreningen Fair Dog Fan side, wrote:

“Zanto (the dog) was ripped out of Dan’s arms, (Zanto’s owner) because he looked like one of the now banned dog breeds, or mixture of both. Zanto had nothing done, he is a good, devoted and happy dog and has never done a fly mischief. The owner had 8 days to prove Zanto’s creator, but we all know that it is not a possible task.”

As of June 2014, Denmark put out Amendments to the Danish Act on Dogs, which includes a ban of thirteen dog breeds which are:

– Pit Bull Terrier

– Tosa Inu

– American Staffordshire Terrier

– Fila Brasileiro

– Dogo Argentino

– American Bulldog

– Boerboel

– Kangal

– Central Asian Shepherd Dog

– Caucasian Shepherd Dog

– South Russian Shepherd Dog

– Tornjak

– Sarplaninac

Some of these breeds have been illegal since 1991, but the amendments make room for more illegal breeds as well as strict punishment for dogs that have a bite history.

It is a tragic and seemingly unnecessary end for both Dan and Zanto, which begs the question: are Breed Specific Laws helpful or should we start letting the owners take responsibility and quit stereotyping the breeds?

References

1. National Dog Examiner 2. Buzz