Since the beginning of the year, an ordinary dog walk can end with an unpleasant surprise if one particular piece of equipment has been left at home.
Many owners have not realised that the rules have quietly become stricter and continue to walk their pets exactly as they always have. If the police or local authorities stop you, however, excuses are unlikely to help. What matters is whether the legally required safety measures are in place.
For most people, the daily dog walk is a chance to unwind and get some fresh air. The routine is usually simple: lead, dog-waste bags and perhaps a favourite toy.
Few owners consider that they may be missing a crucial accessory whose absence could result in an on-the-spot fine. Since 1 January, the legislation applying to dogs considered potentially dangerous has become significantly more stringent.
The authorities have been instructed to carry out more frequent checks and take swifter action when they identify a breach. Where an owner might previously have received a warning, officers are now much quicker to issue a penalty.
The key point is that the law does not take the individual animal’s temperament into account. It makes no difference whether the dog always walks calmly to heel, never barks and has never bitten anyone. The deciding factors are its physical appearance and the legal category into which it falls.
Since the beginning of the year, selected dogs have been subject to a strict requirement to wear a particular form of protection over the muzzle in public places. Owners who fail to comply may face a fine of between €35 and €150.
The rule does not apply to every dog. Legislators have divided the affected animals into two categories with substantially stricter requirements, based almost entirely on physical characteristics and ancestry.
These are the dogs receiving particular attention from the authorities
The first group includes animals regarded as especially dangerous because of their build and the purposes for which their original breed types were developed.
These are often dogs descended from various crosses without a complete documented pedigree. In practice, particular attention is paid to dogs whose build resembles the following breeds:
• American Staffordshire Terriers without an official pedigree
• Mastiff-type dogs from different breeding lines
• Tosa-type dogs without complete registration
• Dogs whose physical appearance resembles any of these breeds
In practice, simply looking like one of these breeds may be enough for the police to decide that the stricter legal requirements apply.
Researchers at veterinary institutions have repeatedly pointed out, however, that classifying an animal solely on the basis of its appearance can be highly problematic.
The second category covers animals belonging to officially recognised breeds and registered with the relevant canine organisations. Common examples include an American Staffordshire Terrier with a pedigree, a fully documented Rottweiler or a Tosa entered in the appropriate register.
Such dogs are sometimes trained for guarding or protection work. From a legal perspective, however, the main consideration is simply whether the animal belongs to a particular breed group.
The requirements imposed on owners in both categories are broadly similar. Many people do not realise that a dog without a pedigree may still be judged to belong to a group carrying additional legal obligations.
The muzzle must be on the dog, not in the owner’s pocket
Since 1 January, the rule for the dog types described above has been unambiguous: in public places, the animal must wear a muzzle.
It is not enough to keep the safety equipment tucked away in a bag or hanging from the lead “just in case”. The regulations state that the muzzle must be fitted correctly from the moment the dog leaves private property.
The requirement covers parks, green spaces and other recreational areas, as well as communal areas in blocks of flats and residential developments.
Stairwells, corridors and underground car parks are also included. Even the brief walk from the front door, down the stairs and out to the car may result in a fine if the dog is not muzzled when an inspection takes place.
The police do not consider whether the animal has walked five metres or five kilometres. The offence occurs the moment the required equipment is absent.
This legal grey area is one of the most common traps for unsuspecting owners. A person may buy a dog through an online advert and discover only during a routine inspection that the animal has been classified as requiring special handling.
Arguing the point with officers on the pavement rarely ends in the owner’s favour. Experts from the Czech dog breeders’ association therefore recommend consulting an experienced veterinary surgeon about the correct classification of the animal.
How much the fine can cost — and how quickly it can increase
Walking a dog in the relevant risk category without the required muzzle can lead to a fine generally ranging from €35 to €150.
If the police also discover that the owner lacks other legally required documents — such as special authorisation to keep a particular type of dog or mandatory third-party liability insurance — the penalties can quickly add up to a substantial sum.
There is also the stress involved, the time lost providing lengthy explanations and the possibility of further administrative sanctions.
The situation becomes considerably more serious if an unmuzzled dog bites someone, even when the injury amounts to little more than a superficial scratch. In such circumstances, the authorities may take far stronger action against the owner than they would have done if the animal had been secured in accordance with the law.
Police forces in several European cities have recently reported an increase in targeted checks involving owners of dogs in higher-risk categories.
Medical specialists also warn that even a minor dog bite can cause a serious infection unless the wound is treated properly. For the owner, the incident may become both an expensive lesson and the beginning of a significant civil-liability claim.
How to prepare properly
Many people who own dogs in the relevant categories dislike the idea of using a muzzle because they fear it will make their pet look aggressive.
In reality, a well-designed and properly fitted model can be comfortable. With the correct design, a dog can breathe and pant normally in warm weather and may even be able to drink directly from its bowl.
The most effective approach is to introduce the muzzle as a positive and interesting object. Rather than forcing it onto the dog in a panic just before a walk, owners should build familiarity through a series of manageable stages.
Begin by allowing the dog to sniff and investigate the muzzle, while associating it with favourite treats. The next step is to encourage the animal to place its nose inside the basket voluntarily in order to collect a reward.
Only after this should the straps be fastened gently for a few seconds at a time, with the duration increased gradually from day to day.
Practise first in a calm environment at home and then on very short walks, until the dog accepts the muzzle as an ordinary part of its daily routine.
Experienced canine specialists in Prague recommend a basket muzzle made from plastic or metal rather than a tight fabric model. A rigid basket provides much better airflow and allows the dog to open its mouth and pant.
Veterinary surgeons add that there should be at least one centimetre of clearance in front of the dog’s nose.
Always check whether the rules apply to your dog
Even when a pet does not appear to belong to one of the breeds most commonly included on official warning lists, it is worth consulting a veterinary surgeon or the relevant local authority.
Many regions have introduced their own lists of breeds and dog types considered to present a heightened risk. Local by-laws may also be more stringent than national legislation.
Anyone planning to travel across borders with a dog should examine the applicable rules carefully.
Something treated as no more than a general recommendation in the Czech Republic may be an absolute legal requirement in another country or city, backed by severe penalties. Safety and legal responsibility should never be underestimated when travelling.
A muzzle protects both the owner and the people around them
Seeing a large guarding or protection-type dog wearing a muzzle can provoke mixed reactions. Some people may find the animal’s appearance intimidating, while other pedestrians feel considerably safer when they see that the correct safety equipment is being used.
For the owner, however, an even more important issue is at stake: responsibility if something unexpected happens.
The owner is ultimately accountable for the dog’s behaviour. When the animal is correctly controlled on a lead and wearing a muzzle, it is much easier to demonstrate to the authorities that all reasonable precautions have been taken.
