Aug. 22, 2010 (The Hindu Business Line) --
MOHAN MURTI
Over 2,000 years after Aristotle avowed that Mother Nature had made all animals for the sake of humankind, Europeans have made that postulation stand on its head.
The joie de vivre of the Europeans is substantiated by their rejection of the Aristotelian baloney which distinguishes man from brutes. What Aristotle in his ignorance misses has been recognised and accepted by Europeans, namely, that animals too are conscious, self-aware beings, just like humans; that animals are not things. Therefore, they are protected by special statutes.
The European laws start with the acknowledgment that animals are sentient beings.
The general aim is to ensure that animals do not endure avoidable pain or suffering, and obliges the owner or keeper of animals to respect minimum welfare requirements.
Pet ownership involves more responsibility in Europe than it does anywhere else in the world.
Under the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, most countries have stricter legislation for protecting animals.
Each country within Europe also has its own exacting, scrupulous, meticulous laws.
Exacting Laws
Germany has some of the strictest laws for dogs. They cannot be left alone for more than five hours. They should be taken out for walks several times a day, cannot be chained up in the apartment or kept in crates.
Germans also frown upon and censure keeping dogs on balconies, in basement rooms and in bathrooms. Neighbours will contact the official vet and the police if they see any offences.
Liability Insurance
Canine liability insurance is compulsory in Europe. German laws, for instance, are very strict about liability.
It only costs me €45 per year for my dog insurance. It is worth every penny.
There are also other non-dog specific policies. Personal liability insurance and legal insurance can come in very handy for anyone with pets.
Believe me, there is a law in Germany about when your dog can bark. It is something like no more than half and hour a day and no more than 10 minutes in a row. And, barking during the “quiet time” is prohibited.
Quiet time is lunch time, during the night and all Sunday. Germans often tend to run to the police and the courts for even minor complaints.
Perhaps, that's a result of living in such an awesome welfare state with so many rules and regulations. And, we all know how the Germans love their ordnung or orderliness. Up to now, we've been talking about pet liability insurance, in case your dog causes any damage.
Pet health insurance, or hundekrankenversicherung, covers costs of doctor fee, treatment, medicines and surgery.
Rental Contracts
Landlords determine whether or not you can have pets. If you do, you are responsible for the animal. The contract should expressly mention that you are allowed to keep a dog.
Sometimes, the landlord may agree, but if the other tenants complain, the decision may be reversed.
Travelling
EU member countries have very strict rules for bringing pets into their nations. There is an official EU passport for pets, which certifies that the pet is healthy; that it's had all vaccinations; that it has been micro-chipped; and now has a special ID number all its own.
This is for travel, say, from outside the European Continent into an EU country but also, perhaps, more importantly, for travel among EU countries. So, for example, I cannot fly o, drive with my St. Bernhard down to Italy without his passport.
Dog School
In Germany, you are not compelled to take your dog to the Hundeschule — dog training school — although it is popular among responsible dog owners. There you are told that there are no bad dogs, only bad owners.
It is stressed to all who attend that any form of physical punishment would not be tolerated.
All dogs must be registered and de-registered when you move house for the authorities to collect tax (from owners of course).
Failure to register your dog is an offence and there is always a do-gooder waiting to turn you in if you don't comply — more than ever if the dog barks after 11 p.m. You even get a tax tag that needs to be attached to the collar of your canine friend.
The Dog Hotel
When we are on a holiday, away from home, our faithful friend is looked after perfectly well at a dog hotel with other canine guests.
A dog hotel accommodates on an average 25 canines of all kinds in supervised groups according to age, size and temperament. While it is expensive at €40 a day, it certainly is the best holiday place for our dogs.
Although European laws may seem strict, they are put in place to protect the animals and its owners. I personally enjoy owning the loving companionship of the furry alpine St. Bernhard.
As I conclude my column, one sentence comes to my mind from the book Earth Abides by George R. Stewart: “men come and go but earth abides”.
The flora, fauna of earth will abide but, will man? Europeans definitely do.
(The author is former Europe Director, CII, and lives in Cologne, Germany. blfeedback@thehindu.co.in)
