Act on Dogs (HuG) - Purpose and Subject Matter (HUG)

1. This law aims to ensure the safe and responsible handling of dogs.

2. It regulates

a) the responsibilities;

b) the duties of the owners;

c) the dog control;

d) the restrictions on dog ownership in individual cases;

e) the dog tax.

1. The Canton and the municipalities cooperate in the enforcement of this law. They provide each other with the data necessary for the fulfillment of their legal duties.

1. The canton is responsible for the following tasks

a) Implementation of the provisions regarding restrictions on dog ownership;

b) Enforcement of federal animal protection and animal disease legislation;

c) Prevention of imminent dangers posed by dogs to humans and animals;

d) Management of dog control;

e) Collection of the dog tax.

1. The municipalities shall fulfill the following tasks in particular

a) Provision of adequate disposal facilities for dog waste within the municipal territory;

b) Temporary accommodation and care of stray and ownerless dogs.

1. The canton and the municipalities may promote the safe and responsible handling of dogs through appropriate measures.

2. They may, in particular, conduct campaigns and other public relations measures or support those of other public or private organizations.

1. The owners are obliged to

a) Keep dogs in such a way that people and animals are not harassed or endangered, and others' property is not damaged;

b) Have dogs under their supervision and effective control at all times;

c) Keep dogs so that third parties are not disturbed by excessive noise or odors;

d) Pick up and dispose of dog waste from private and publicly accessible grounds;

e) Ensure that third parties entrusted with dogs are capable of fulfilling the dog ownership duties.

2. The government council shall regulate the details.

3. The rights and obligations of the owners under other enactments, particularly in hunting legislation, remain reserved.

1. Holders are obligated to provide the competent authorities with the information necessary to enforce this law and to assist in determining the facts free of charge.

1. Dogs Must Be Kept on a Leash

a) in the absence of other effective control measures;

b) on school premises, publicly accessible playgrounds and sports fields, as well as in publicly accessible parks;

c) in public buildings;

d) on public transportation, at train stations, and stops;

e) when entering pastures where livestock are present;

f) if they are wearing a muzzle;

g) by governmental order in specific cases.

2. The municipality may designate additional locations where dogs must be kept on a leash.

3. Dogs Must Wear a Muzzle

a) if they are prone to biting;

b) by governmental order in specific cases.

1. The municipality may designate places where dogs are not allowed.

1. It is prohibited to

a) set dogs on people or animals;

b) deliberately provoke them.

2. Exceptions are made if required for their purpose

a) dogs in guard training or guard duty;

b) dogs in training or deployed as driving or hunting dogs.

1. The owner must possess liability insurance that covers the risks associated with dog ownership.

2. The government council determines the minimum coverage amount.

3. The insurance policy must be presented to the authorities responsible for the enforcement of this law upon request.

1. The keeper shall report the deployment of a livestock guardian dog to the affected municipalities.

2. The keeper shall provide appropriate information about the presence of livestock guardian dogs and the correct behavior towards the dogs on footpaths and hiking trails that pass through the grazing area.

1. Dogs owned by residents of the canton must be identified and registered according to the regulations of the federal Animal Epidemic Act.

2. The government council designates the reporting and registration office in accordance with the federal Animal Epidemic Ordinance. It may delegate the designation to the competent department.

3. Municipalities have free access to the data on dog ownership. The government council may regulate additional access possibilities to the relevant database.

1. For the purpose of maintaining dog control, the owner must report the following to the competent cantonal authority within 14 days

a) the keeping of a dog more than three months old;

b) a change of ownership;

c) the death of the dog;

d) any changes in the name or address of the owner;

e) the acquisition of the required expertise certificates in accordance with the Federal Animal Protection Ordinance;

f) measures ordered in another canton in accordance with Art. 15 Para. 3.

2. The Government Council designates the documents to be submitted to the competent cantonal authority.

3. The Government Council regulates the details of the control.

1. The competent cantonal authority shall impose the necessary restrictions on dog ownership in individual cases if

a) a dog has significantly injured humans or animals;

b) a dog exhibits excessive aggressive behavior or other behavioral abnormalities;

c) there are indications that the owner does not provide sufficient assurance for safe and responsible dog ownership.

2. The competent cantonal authority shall, in particular, order the following measures

a) behavioral assessment of the dog by experts (behavioral clarification);

b) obligation for the owner to attend training courses, with or without the dog;

c) obligation for the owner to attend behavior therapy with the dog;

d) prohibition of training or using a dog for protection services;

e) obligation for the owner to keep the dog on a leash in public spaces or to keep it on a leash and muzzle it;

f) designation by name of persons who are allowed to walk the dog;

g) obligation for the owner to take structural or other measures to prevent the dog from leaving the private premises;

h) temporary placement of the dog for observation in an animal shelter or other suitable animal holding;

i) seizure of the dog for relocation or return to the breeding facility;

j) prohibition to keep more than a certain number of dogs;

k) temporary or permanent ban on keeping dogs in general or dogs of certain breed types or sizes;

l) breeding prohibition or conditions for breeding;

m) sterilization or castration of the dog;

n) euthanasia of the dog.

3. Measures that have been lawfully ordered in other cantons pursuant to paragraph 2 also apply in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

1. The competent police authorities shall act without delay when a dog poses an imminent threat to humans and animals.

2. For this purpose, they may, in particular

a) temporarily seize and suitably accommodate a dog;

b) kill a dog.

1. Stray and ownerless dogs shall be taken into custody by the municipality and delivered to the owner.

2. If the owner cannot be identified within a reasonable period, the dog shall be temporarily housed in an appropriate facility by order of the municipality.

3. If, after two months, the dog cannot be permanently placed, the municipality shall decide on further measures. It may have the dog euthanized.

4. The municipality shall bear the costs if the owner cannot be identified.

1. The owner shall bear the costs of the measures under this section and shall have no claim to compensation.

1. A dog tax shall be levied annually for each dog kept in the canton that is more than three months old.

2. The taxpayer is the owner.

3. The amount of the dog tax is determined by the Government Council and shall not exceed CHF 200.-.

4. If an owner keeps more than one dog, the dog tax for each additional dog is doubled.

5. The Government Council shall regulate the details.

1. No dog tax is levied for

a) utility dogs with special functions designated by the governing council;

b) dogs for which a dog tax has already been paid in a different canton within the same year;

c) dogs in animal shelters that are intended to be newly placed.

1. The tax revenue is allocated to the canton.

2. The canton pays the municipality 50 percent of the collected levy for each dog kept and taxable in the municipality.

1. A fine shall be imposed on anyone who intentionally or negligently violates the provisions of Articles 6, paragraph 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, paragraph 1, 12, 13, paragraph 1, or 14, paragraph 1, or the implementation regulations issued in execution of these provisions concerning dog ownership.

1. Appeals against orders and resolutions of the municipal council issued in application of this law and its implementing decrees can be filed with the competent department within 20 days.

1. The Government Council shall issue the provisions necessary for the implementation of this Act.