Dogs in need: Munich animal shelter fights against placement ban!

Dogs in need: Munich animal shelter fights against placement ban!

You might think that every dog ​​has the right to a new home, but the reality at the Munich animal shelter is different. There are special challenges for so-called listed dogs, which are often rejected by potential adopters. This particularly affects dogs like Pablo, a three-year-old male who unfortunately lived in an unfortunate situation in Munich. Even though he wears a muzzle, he is described as “incredibly sweet and people-oriented”. The Munich Animal Welfare Association is now actively working to ensure that such dogs are given a fair chance of being adopted.

Five dog breeds and their crossbreeds, including the Pitbull, Bandog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Tosa Inu, are currently banned by law in Bavaria. Strict requirements apply to category 2 dogs, such as Rottweilers and Bull Terriers. The owner must be reliable and prove that the dog does not pose a threat to life or health. This is done through a so-called character test, which often causes confusion. Because even if the negative certificate no longer legally means fighting dog status, the dog tax remains, which can amount to up to 1000 euros annually.

Gateway to strict regulations

Training a dog also plays a central role. Dogs can be classified as fighting dogs regardless of their breed if they have been trained accordingly. This means that the dangerousness of a dog depends not only on its parentage, but also on how it is handled by the owner. However, in recent years, the animal welfare association has noticed a declining trend in adoptions. In 2024, a total of 297 dogs, 637 cats and 553 small animals were successfully rehomed, while an average of 738 animals lived in the animal shelter every day. The high number of wild animals in particular is causing a temporary stop in admission.

The city of Munich does not provide any financial resources for the care of wild animals, which means that the animal protection association relies on donations and membership fees. The association currently has around 8,000 members and was able to earn 5.9 million euros through inheritances in 2024, which accounted for 46% of total income. Over half of the expenses went towards animal protection tasks and the care of the animals.

Investments for a better future

In order to meet the challenges, major construction measures are also planned. For example, in 2025 the renovation of the birdhouse will cost 200,000 euros and the construction of a special building for foreign dogs will cost 350,000 euros. The largest investment, however, is the complete renovation of the dog house at the sanctuary in Kirchasch, which costs 2.6 million euros. A new office building was built in the last few months and will be occupied from autumn.

It looks like the situation remains tense for many dogs, especially the sought-after listed dogs, in the Munich animal shelter. It remains to be hoped that the reform of the fighting dog regulations will improve the placement opportunities for these animals. Until then, it is up to society to show a good hand for the well-being of four-legged friends and to give them the chance of a loving home.

For further information on dog ownership in Bavaria and the associated laws, those interested can read the official provisions of the Bavarian Fighting Dog Ordinance. tierschutzverein-muenchen.de provides further information on how the chances for listed dogs can be increased. The Abendzeitung highlights the current challenges in the animal shelter and the efforts for reform.