veterinary trench

The SPD's animal protection working group in collaboration with the legal advisor of the French animal protection association GRAAL and CIFAM/France has put together the following important information for so-called fighting dog owners:

Entering France can be a deadly risk for your dogs………..

Be careful when entering France with dogs!
The regulations published in Germany for entering France with dogs are mostly incomplete and often simply wrong!
There is therefore an acute risk that the import/entry of a dog into France will violate the regulations there. As a result, the animal could be immediately confiscated and killed in France! When traveling with animals to or through other countries, it is strongly recommended that you obtain the original legal text of the entry and, if applicable, breed regulations beforehand, as these regulations are usually incompletely reproduced in the travel information published in Germany. However, a mistake due to incorrect entry information can be fatal for the animal! General regulations for entering France with animals:
Dogs, cats and ferrets older than 3 months require an EU pet passport.
The import of animals under 3 months of age is not permitted. The animals must be vaccinated against rabies, distemper, hepatitis and cats and also against cat disease. The vaccinations must have been given at least 30 days before entry and must not have been more than a year ago. The vaccination details must be noted in the pet passport by the veterinarian. Your four-legged companion must also be identifiable by tattoo or microchip (even during transit!). A maximum of 3 animals are allowed, of which only 1 animal is between 3-6 months old, otherwise special permission from the French authorities is required. Dogs of category 1 (so-called fighting dogs), the suspected breeds Pitbull, Boerbull, Mastiff, Great Danes and Great Dane-like breeds with or without a breeding book, as well as all suspected Staffordshire Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Tosa and similar without a breeding book valid in France, are prohibited from import/entry banned in France without exception!
Animals living in France must be neutered/neutered.
These dogs are not allowed to use public buildings, parks or gardens, or public transport. Illegally imported dogs will be confiscated immediately and can be killed! In addition, violations are punished with up to 6 months in prison and a fine of up to 15,000 euros. For dogs in category 2 (guard and protection dogs), the presumed Rottweiler breeds and their mixed breeds with or without a studbook, as well as suspected Staffordshire Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Tosa and similar with a studbook valid in France, require a valid proof of ancestry in addition to the pet passport , the very stud book that confirms the breed's membership in category 2 as a guard/protection dog, according to the French bill.
The following applies to dogs of both categories: In France, dogs are subject to an absolute muzzle and leash requirement and may only be led by adults. Proof of additional liability insurance must be provided. The animals must be identifiable by microchip or tattoo. Keeping these dogs is prohibited for young people under the age of 18, adults under guardianship, people who are prohibited from keeping animals, and people with a criminal record. The dogs must be registered with the municipality. Found dogs that presumably belong to one of the two categories are killed in the municipal rescue centers (Fourrières), regardless of their age!

This results in a number of problems:
First problem:
The breed determination is based on French studbooks (LOF) or their breed definitions!
The breed name entered in the pet passport will not be recognized!!! The additional proof of breed classification must come from a specialist veterinarian or cynological association. But even in this case there is no 100% certainty that French authorities will recognize them. Especially not if the document is not written in French. A corresponding translation must come from a sworn translator or be officially certified! AmStaffs and AmStaff mixed breeds, which fall under category 2 according to German guidelines, are automatically assigned to category 1 in French practice without the breed proof described above, which results in immediate confiscation and killing!
Second problem:
In France, all “listed dogs”, including those of Cat. 2, must be registered with the municipality responsible for their permanent residence.
However, a foreign tourist does not have a residence in France. He only has a hotel or holiday apartment address, or he is just passing through. The tourist cannot register his dog anywhere! Even if entry is tolerated at the border, tourists cannot rely on the dog not being confiscated and killed elsewhere! Submitting German ancestry papers and permits can be helpful, but it is of little use if the documents are not written in French by a sworn translator or officially certified!
The decision and sanctions of the French authorities are arbitrary or discretionary, usually to the detriment of the dog.
Third problem:
In the French breed list, every breed listed has the additions “presumptive” and “or similar”, which expands the definition considerably and makes the interpretation completely arbitrary.
Fourth problem:
A police officer is not a cynologist; even official veterinarians are often not familiar with dog breeds.
In addition, breed assignment for dogs without papers can only be made based on phenotypic characteristics. Unfortunately, experience in recent years has confirmed that in France any dog ​​that may look like a “fighting dog” to a layperson is, if in doubt, assigned to category 1.
The consequences can be dramatic: confiscation and killing of the dog!!! The SPD animal protection working group and CIFAM/France therefore strongly advise against traveling to or through France with dogs.
Disaster can occur! When it comes to disputes with the authorities, tourists have a bad chance simply because of their lack of language skills. German or English speaking civil servants are also the exception in France.
These warnings apply not only to dogs or mixed breeds of Cat. 1 and 2, but to all dogs that have a similarity, albeit slight, to so-called fighting dog breeds.
This means that not only category dogs according to German regulations are affected, but all medium-sized and short-haired dogs of all colors that have a strong build, chest area or head, as well as dogs with clearly visible muscles! Entering France is a fatal risk for such dogs!!!
We also call on all other dog owners to also refrain from traveling through or to France out of solidarity. Only the economic pressure from a lack of tourists can force French lawmakers to give in.

Source: http://www.tierschutzverein-hagen.de/go/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=134:vorsicht-bei-ein-und-duchreise-frankreich&catid=41:tiere-und-urlaub&Itemid=49