List of fatal dog attacks in Austria explained

See main article: List of fatal dog attacks. Fatal or nearly fatal dog attacks in Austria have led to tightening of existing laws on keeping dogs in some of the nine provinces. The keeping of dogs in general, certain dog types or breeds, and "dogs with increased risk potential" is regulated differently from province to province. For example, Vienna prohibits protection dog training and other comparable training that involves attack behavior directed against humans.[1] The provinces Vienna,[2] Lower Austria[3] and Vorarlberg[4] have breed-specific legislation, as of 2023.

This is a list of human deaths caused by dogs reported by the news media, published in scholarly papers, or mentioned through other sources. In the lists below, the dog type or breed is assigned by the sources. For more information on causes of death and studies related to dog bite-related fatalities, see Fatal dog attacks.

Fatalities from 1987 to current

DateVictim ageVictim genderDog type (Number) LocationCircumstances
52FemaleRottweiler (1)Lower Austria, Wilfleinsdorf A woman was walking along a road with her two grandchildren on July 26 when the female dog named Kim escaped from a garden, ran into the road, and bit several times. The entire family had to be treated in the hospital, the children suffered minor injuries. The woman received intensive medical care for 2.5 months and died as a result of her injuries. The dog originally came from a breed of the Austrian Armed Forces. She was taken to the Military Dog Center Kaisersteinbruch in Burgenland after the incident and later handed over to an animal shelter. The dog's owner was reported and a dog-keeping ban was imposed.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
60FemaleAmerican Staffordshire Terrier (3)Upper Austria, NaarnThe woman was jogging near her house when she came across her neighbor and dog owner. According to initial reports, it was the male dog "Elmo" that killed the woman. She suffered very serious injuries and died before help arrived. The male dog was euthanized the same day of the incident. It later became known that the dog owner was out with three dogs, she said she fell and when she looked up, all three dogs were with the victim. In January 2024, DNA from the two female dogs was also found on the victim. Four remaining purebred American Staffordshire Terriers and seven puppies from the kennel were handed in by the owner/breeder after the incident. The mayor also issued a lifelong ban on the American Staffordshire Terrier breed. The owner was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter on March 7, 2024, and sentenced to 15 months in prison, 5 months actual prison time. The relatives of the victim were awarded partial damages of € 40,000. The confiscation of the female dogs "Cookie" and "Peanut" requested by the public prosecutor's office was rejected by the judge. One dog lives with a new dog owner in Lower Austria and the other dog was placed in an animal shelter in Upper Austria. The prison sentence was later commuted to a fine of € 1,800.[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]
31MaleBelgian Shepherd of the variety: Malinois (2)Lower Austria, Wiener NeustadtThe victim was tasked with feeding the service dogs. The dogs with the pet names "Hati" and "Ragna" were found running loose by an officer. The dog handler who was tasked with bringing the dogs back found the victim dead in the dog's kennel. While "Hati" was euthanized, the younger dog "Ragna" was given back to his breeder and owner.[17] [18]
1MaleRottweiler (1)Vienna, Donaustadt— The dog "Joey" broke away from his intoxicated owner when he saw the child. The child died from his injuries in the hospital. The dog was taken to an animal shelter but later euthanized after attacking staff. A few months before the fatal incident, the dog had bitten someone else on the neck. The owner received an 18-month sentence, with 6 months actual prison time and a fine of € 65,000.[19] [20]
62FemaleGolden Retriever (1)BurgenlandThe woman was bitten on the upper arm by the neighbor's dog while she visited her sister-in-law. She died a week after the bite from multiple organ failure.[21] [22]
79FemaleRottweiler (2)Lower Austria, LasseeThe woman was attacked by her son's two dogs named "Aaron" and "Tico" (or "Diko"). She was later found dead by a caregiver of the dogs. The two dogs had been living in the victim's house for five years, and she had regular contact with the dogs. According to the police, there was one benign incident beforehand in which a person's hand was injured. Both dogs were euthanized.[23]
1FemaleRottweiler (1)Lower Austria, StaningersdorfThe victim was attacked by the father's dog named "Odin". When the police officer came home from work and wanted to greet the dog and his daughter, who came to him holding her grandmother's hand, the dog attacked the girl. The dog attacked without warning and bitten into her head. The father eventually managed to get her released from the dog and rushed her to hospital where she subsequently died. The dog was euthanized.[24] [25] [26]
<1Rottweiler (1)ViennaThe 4-month-old child was killed by the family dog. The owner's wife and daughter were acquitted. The dog was not euthanized after the incident. In 1989, this dog and a second Rottweiler acquired shortly after the death inflicted serious injuries on an 8-year-old boy who was playing with other children on a nearby property. The Vienna Regional Criminal Court and the Vienna Higher Regional Court (on appeal) found the defendant guilty of negligent grievous bodily harm under particularly dangerous circumstances.[27] [28]

Fatalities due to rabies

Austria has been considered rabies-free since 2008.[29] The last imported case of rabies occurred in 2004. A man was bitten by an infected dog in Morocco and died later in Austria.[30] Worldwide, around 60,000 people die every year from rabies transmitted by dogs.[31] If a person is injured by a dog suspected of being rabid, the local authority must be informed.[32] In Austria, precautionary measures against the import of rabies are still in force. When entering Austria, dogs must be able to present a valid vaccination and, depending on the country of entry, an additional serological rabies test. Puppies may only be imported into Austria from the age of 16 weeks, as this type of vaccination is only possible from 12 weeks and the time until the vaccination becomes effective is 21 days. With a permit from the authorities, it is possible to import future assistance dogs, for example, at an earlier age if there is sufficient justification. There is also an exception for future federal service dogs.[33] [34] [35]

Legal situation in Austria

Fatal dog attacks can be classified as accidents, negligent homicides (Strafgesetzbuch § 80) or grossly negligent homicides (Strafgesetzbuch § 81), depending on the circumstances.

In cases of dog attacks that result in life-threatening injury to humans, Austrian authorities can seize the dog and order its euthanasia. If a dog has shown aggressive behavior, authorities typically initiate a character test (Wesenstest) to assess the dog. If the dog is classified as dangerous, it will likely be required to wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash. Euthanasia after a dog bite is extremely rare and only occurs if the dog poses a danger to the public.[36] In 2018 the Rottweiler "Joey" broke away from its intoxicated owner and attacked a one-year-old boy who was walking on the other side of the street. The boy was seriously injured and died 18 days later in hospital.[37] The dog was placed in an animal shelter, where they refused to euthanize a healthy animal and attempted to resocialize him. However, after the dog attacked the shelter staff, they decided to euthanize him after all.[38] [39] [40]

Law changes after incidents

Vienna 2018: Following the death of a 17-month-old boy named Waris, who was attacked while taking a walk with his grandparents and later died in hospital,[41] the law was changed in the same year. The owner of the Rottweiler was intoxicated while walking the dog. On October 10, 2018, the then city councillor Ulli Sima (SPÖ) presented the 11th amendment to the Vienna Animal Wellfare Act together with the Chief of Police Gerhard Pürstl.[42] On November 29, 2018, the amendment to the Vienna Animal Wellfare Act was passed.[43]

The following amendments were adopted (selection):

Salzburg 2013: On May 6, 2011, a four-year-old girl named Mia from Wals-Siezenheim was attacked and seriously injured by a Rottweiler that jumped over the fence into the family's garden.[49] [50] This incident was the trigger for an amendment to the Salzburg Provincial Safety Act. A registration requirement for dog owners was introduced, which stipulates a certificate of competence and mandatory liability insurance with a minimum cover amount.[51] The amendment to the Salzburg Provincial Safety Act came into force in 2013.[52]

Lower Austria 2009: There were several serious incidents involving dogs in the federal state of Lower Austria in 2009. For example, on September 2, a 3-year-old girl named Chiara was attacked and seriously injured by three Pit Bull Terriers in Rohrbach an der Gölsen and on November 13, a one-year-old girl named Hannah was killed by a Rottweiler. At the time, it was not legally possible to seize animals that endangered or injured people.[53] [54] These incidents put politicians under pressure to act. In response to these and other incidents, the Lower Austrian Dog Law (NÖ Hundehaltegesetz) was drawn up, which was passed in the provincial parliament session on November 19 and came into force on January 1, 2010. In addition to the general regulations on safe keeping and handling of dogs, further regulations were introduced for "dogs with increased risk potential and dogs with attack history".[55]

Further amendments:

Legislation

Some federal states have created separate dog laws, others included the regulations on keeping dogs in their federal state security laws or police laws.

Overview of federal laws and ordinances on the keeping of dogs, dangerous dogs and dogs with increased risk potential (as of January 2024):

Federal StateLegal texts and ordinances
SalzburgLaw – Salzburg Provincial Safety Act
§ 19 Keeping dangerous dogs
§ 24 Handling a dangerous dog
Ordinance (PDF) – Ordinance of the Salzburg State Government of October 22, 2012 on the training required for keeping dogs
§ 1 Training for the keeping of non-dangerous dogs
§ 2 Training for the keeping of dangerous dogs
ViennaLaw – Law on the keeping of animals (Vienna Animal Husbandry Act)
§ 5 Keeping of dogs Abs. 3
§ 5a Keeping of dogs that require a dog license (Information in English)
§ 8 Keeping dangerous animals Abs. 7 – 9
§ 8a Attack dog training
VorarlbergLaw – Law on Local Security and Police Affairs
§ 4 Animal husbandry that requires a permit
Ordinance of the provincial government on the keeping of fighting dogs
§1 §2
Upper AustriaDog Law – Law on keeping dogs§ 1 General information
§ 7 Determination of a dog's abnormal behavior
TyrolLaw Police Law Tyrol
§ 6a Special obligations for keeping and handling of dogs
StyriaLaw Styria Provincial Safety Act § 3b Keeping of animals
Ordinance for proof of competence for dog keeping Styria
Individual municipalities may issue additional regulations for keeping dogs.
CarinthiaLaw Carinthia Provincial Safety Act
§ 7 Keeping of dangerous animals
§ 8 Preventing danger when keeping dogs
§ 10 Special provisions for attack dogs
§ 11 Warnings
§ 12 Coercive measures, ban on keeping animals
Lower AustriaLaw NÖ Dog Law 2023
§ 2 Dogs with increased risk potential
§ 3 Dogs with attack history
Ordinance for keeping dogs in Lower Austria 2023
BurgenlandLaw Burgenland Provincial Safety Act
§ 22 Keeping of dogs with attack history
Law Austrian Animal Protection Law§ 14 Carers of animals§ 24a Identification and registration of dogs and breeding cats

Note on legal topics:

See also

References

  1. Web site: RIS - Wiener Tierhaltegesetz - Landesrecht konsolidiert Wien, Fassung vom 18.05.2024 .
  2. Web site: Haltung von Listenhunden in Wien .
  3. Web site: Haltung von Listenhunden in Niederösterreich .
  4. Web site: Haltung von Listenhunden ("Kampfhunden") in Vorarlberg .
  5. Web site: red . noe ORF at/Agenturen . 2023-10-18 . Frau zwei Monate nach Hundeattacke gestorben . Woman dies two months after dog attack . 2023-10-19 . noe.ORF.at . de.
  6. Web site: red . noe ORF at . 2023-07-27 . Rottweiler-Attacke: Anzeige gegen Hundebesitzerin . Rottweiler attack: dog owner reported . 2023-10-19 . noe.ORF.at . de.
  7. Web site: Nach Hundeattacke in Wilfleinsdorf: Frau (52) starb im Spital . After dog attack in Wilfleinsdorf: woman (52) died in hospital . 2023-10-19 . nachrichten.at . de.
  8. Web site: Frau starb mehr als zwei Monate nach Hundeangriff im Krankenhaus . Woman dies in hospital more than two months after dog attack . 2023-10-19 . DER STANDARD . de-AT.
  9. Web site: Wammerl . Patrick . 2023-10-19 . Tödliche Hundeattacke: Erfahrener Trainer arbeitet mit Rottweiler-Hündin . Fatal dog attack: Experienced trainer works with female Rottweiler . 2023-10-24 . kurier.at . de.
  10. Web site: Fischer . Lisa . October 3, 2023 . Fatal Dog Attack Shakes Naarn: Tragedy Unfolds . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011093102/https://www.viennatimes.com/austria-news/fatal-dog-attack-shakes-naarn-tragedy-unfolds/ . October 11, 2023 . October 11, 2023 . Vienna Times . en.
  11. Web site: Kaltenecker . Christine . October 3, 2023 . Expertin erklärt, wie es zur Attacke kommen konnte . Expert explains how the attack could have come about . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231005140935/https://www.heute.at/s/tiere-haustiere-hundexpertin-kein-hund-wird-als-killer-geboren-100294525 . October 5, 2023 . October 10, 2023 . Heute . de.
  12. Web site: Always Remember of Hopeful Soul . live . http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/american_staffordshire_terrier/dog.html?id=2915332-always-remember-of-hopeful-soul?_v=20200417033815 . 2023-10-11 . 2023-10-11 . www.pedigreedatabase.com . de.
  13. Web site: 2024-01-10 . DNA-Analyse: Spuren dreier Hunde am Körper von getöteter Joggerin . DNA-analysis: Traces of three dogs on the body of the jogger who was killed . 2024-01-11 . MeinBezirk.at . de.
  14. Web site: wil . 2023-10-03 . Polizisten mussten nach Todes-Attacke betreut werden . Police officers had to be looked after a fatal attack . 2024-03-09 . Heute.at . de-AT.
  15. Web site: Nachrichten . Salzburger . 2024-03-06 . Teilbedingte Haft für Züchterin nach tödlichen Hundebissen: "Die Frau kam bestialisch ums Leben" . Partial prison for breeder after fatal dog bite: “The woman died in a brutal manner” . 2024-03-09 . Salzburger Nachrichten . de-AT.
  16. Web site: 2024-05-23 . Tödliche Hundeattacke: Geldstrafe statt Haft . Fatal dog attack: fine instead of imprisonment . 2024-08-06 . ooe.ORF.at . de-AT.
  17. Web site: November 14, 2019 . Austrian Army Says Soldier Mauled to Death by Service Dogs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601152328/https://www.courthousenews.com/austrian-army-says-soldier-mauled-to-death-by-service-dogs/ . June 1, 2023 . October 10, 2023 . Courthouse News Service.
  18. Web site: December 30, 2020 . Soldat von Hunden getötet: Ermittlungsverfahren eingestellt . Soldier killed by dogs: investigation closed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201231170632/https://www.vienna.at/saldat-von-hunden-getoetet-ermittlungsverfahren-eingestellt/6852942 . December 31, 2020 . October 10, 2023 . vienna.at . de.
  19. Web site: March 25, 2019 . Austrian court jails woman over fatal dog attack on toddler . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011102332/https://abc7news.com/austrian-fatal-dog-attack-toddler-sentencing-woman-sentenced-in-on-vienna-sentence/5216590/ . October 11, 2023 . October 11, 2023 . abc7news.
  20. Web site: October 12, 2018 . Grieving family calls for muzzles for all dogs after son's death . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011102951/https://www.news24.com/you/news/grieving-family-calls-for-muzzles-for-all-dogs-after-sons-death-20181012 . October 11, 2023 . October 10, 2023 . News24.
  21. Web site: Burgenländerin starb im Spital nach Hundebiss: Staatsanwaltschaft ermittelt . Burgenland woman died in hospital after a dog bite: public prosecutor's office is investigating . 2023-10-19 . DER STANDARD . de-AT.
  22. Web site: 2014-05-15 . Waisenhunde suchen ein neues Heim . Orphan dogs are looking for a new home . 2023-10-19 . www.oe24.at . de.
  23. Web site: March 7, 2020 . NÖ: Frau von zwei Rottweilern totgebissen . Lower Austria: Woman bitten to death by two Rottweilers . https://web.archive.org/web/20210303184223/https://www.vienna.at/n-frau-von-zwei-rottweilern-totgebissen/1890181 . March 3, 2021 . October 11, 2023 . Vienna Online . de.
  24. Web site: November 13, 2009 . Rottweiler Odin beisst Kind tot . Rottweiler Odin bites child to death . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011103246/https://www.abendblatt.de/vermischtes/article107588697/Rottweiler-Odin-beisst-Kind-tot.html . October 11, 2023 . October 10, 2023 . Hamburger Abendblatt . de.
  25. Web site: 2011-12-05 . Einjähriges Mädchen von Rottweiler getötet . One-year-old girl killed by Rottweiler . 2023-10-24 . kurier.at . de.
  26. Web site: 2012-04-11 . Nach Biss: Rottweiler eingeschläfert . After bite: Rottweiler euthanized . 2023-10-24 . noev1.orf.at.
  27. Verdict of the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG Vienna 22 Bs 403/89) of November 15, 1987
  28. Mitgutsch . Ingrid . 2005 . Die "Kampfhunderegelung" des § 81 Abs 1 Z 3 StGB - ein Fall unnötiger Anlassgesetzgebung? . The “fighting dog regulation” of Section 81 Paragraph 1 Z 3 StGB - a case of unnecessary legislation? . JST - Journal für Strafrecht . 4 . 111.
  29. Web site: Tollwut . Rabies . 2023-10-19 . www.sozialministerium.at . de-AT.
  30. Web site: Nach Hundebiss in Marokko: Steirer an Tollwut gestorben . After a dog bite in Morocco: Styrian died of rabies . 2023-10-19 . Der Standard . de-AT.
  31. Web site: Robert Koch Institut . Ratgeber Tollwut . Guidebook Rabies . 2024-01-19 . www.rki.de . de.
  32. Web site: Österreichs digitales Amt . Bissverletzungen . Bite injuries . 2024-01-19 . oesterreich.gv.at . de-AT.
  33. Web site: Import von Hunden . Import of dogs . 2024-01-19 . ÖKV - Österreichischer Kynologenverband . de.
  34. Web site: Einreise und Wiedereinreise von Hunden, Katzen, Frettchen und anderen Heimtieren im Reiseverkehr aus Drittstaaten nach Österreich . Entry and re-entry of dogs, cats, ferrets and other pets traveling from third countries to Austria . 2024-01-19 . Das Bundesamt für Verbrauchergesundheit (BAVG) . de.
  35. Web site: Tierschutzminister Rauch erließ strengere Regeln für Welpenhandel . Animal Welfare Minister Rauch issued stricter rules for the puppy trade . 2024-01-19 . Der Standard . de-AT.
  36. Binder . Regina . 2018 . Euthanasie von Heimtieren: Das Tierschutzrecht zwischen Lebensschutz und Leidverkürzung . Euthanasia of pet animals: Animal protection law between protecting life and reducing suffering . Wiener Tierärztliche Monatsschrift – Veterinary Medicine Austria . de . 105 (2018) . 119–128.
  37. Web site: 2018-09-28 . Nach Hundebiss: Bub gestorben . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231012161643/https://wien.orf.at/v2/news/stories/2938535/index.html . 2023-10-12 . 2023-10-12 . wien.orf.at . de.
  38. Web site: September 12, 2018 . Zwei Not-OPs nach Rottweiler-Attacke: Kind in Lebensgefahr - Hund wird nicht eingeschläfert . Two emergency operations after a Rottweiler attack: child's life is in danger - dog will not be euthanized . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201024071124/https://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/chronik/zwei-not-ops-nach-rottweiler-attacke-kind-in-lebensgefahr/348337132 . October 24, 2020 . October 12, 2023 . Oe24 . de.
  39. Web site: September 28, 2018 . Bub nach Rottweiler-Biss gestorben: Frau drohen drei Jahre Haft . Boy dies after Rottweiler bite: woman faces three years in prison . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180929111052/https://kurier.at/chronik/wien/bub-nach-rottweiler-biss-gestorben-frau-drohen-drei-jahre-haft/400131632 . September 29, 2018 . October 12, 2023 . Kurier . de.
  40. Web site: Melcher . Daniel . 2018-09-12 . Rottweiler biss Kleinkind: "Wir töten keine Tiere" . Rottweiler bites toddler: "We don't kill animals" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181203152917/https://kurier.at/chronik/oesterreich/rottweiler-biss-kleinkind-wir-toeten-keine-tiere/400116476 . 2018-12-03 . 2023-10-12 . kurier.at . de.
  41. Web site: 2018-12-14 . Tödlicher Hundebiss: "Mein Kind ist kein Opfer" . Fatal dog bite: “My child is not a victim” . 2024-01-19 . wien.orf.at . de-AT.
  42. Web site: Sima/Pürstl: Wien präsentiert umfassendes Sicherheits-Maßnahmenpaket zur Hundehaltung . Sima/Pürstl: Vienna presents a comprehensive package of safety measures for keeping dogs . 2024-01-19 . OTS.at . de-AT.
  43. Web site: 32. Wiener Landtag . Viennese State Parliament . 2024-01-19 . OTS.at . de-AT.
  44. Web site: Wiener . Tierschutzombudsstelle . 2024 . Der Wiener Sachkundenachweis . The Viennese certificate of competence . 2024-04-08 . Hunde-Kunde . de-AT.
  45. Web site: Stadt . Wien . 2024 . Behördlicher Hundeführschein . Officially imposed dog license . 2024-04-08 . www.wien.gv.at . de-AT.
  46. Web site: Vienna Dog Licence . 2024-04-09 . www.wien.gv.at . en.
  47. Web site: Stadt . Wien . 2024 . Verpflichtender Hundeführschein, Anmeldung zur Prüfung . Mandatory dog license, registration for the exam . 2024-04-08 . www.wien.gv.at . de-AT.
  48. Web site: 2024 . Hundeabgabe (Hundesteuer) - Hund anmelden oder abmelden . Dog tax - register or deregister your dog . 2024-04-08 . www.wien.gv.at . de.
  49. Web site: 2012-02-04 . Rottweiler-Attacke: Trainerin belastet Angeklagten . Rottweiler attack: trainer incriminates defendant . https://web.archive.org/web/20240110102913/https://salzburg.orf.at/v2/news/stories/2519722/ . 2024-01-10 . 2024-04-07 . salzburg.orf.at . de-AT.
  50. Web site: 2012-03-30 . Rottweiler-Biss: Bedingte Haft für Besitzer . Rottweiler bite: Conditional imprisonment for owner . https://web.archive.org/web/20240110102910/https://www.diepresse.com/745065/rottweiler-biss-bedingte-haft-fuer-besitzer . 2024-01-10 . 2024-04-07 . Die Presse . de.
  51. Web site: Hundehaltung - Land Salzburg . Keeping dogs - Federal state of Salzburg . 2024-04-07 . www.salzburg.gv.at.
  52. Web site: Huber . Heidi . 2023-10-05 . Hundebisse: Seit zehn Jahren gibt es in Salzburg den "Hundeführschein" - was sich seither geändert hat . Dog bites: There has been a “dog driving license” in Salzburg for ten years - which has changed since then . https://web.archive.org/web/20240110102104/https://www.sn.at/salzburg/politik/hundebisse-vor-jahren-salzburgs-politik-146420569 . 2024-01-10 . 2024-04-07 . Salzburger Nachrichten . de-AT.
  53. Web site: Rechtliche Konsequenzen nach Biss-Attacke . Legal consequences after a bite attack . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114114602/https://noev1.orf.at/stories/392142 . 2024-01-14 . 2024-04-07 . noev1.orf.at.
  54. Web site: 2009-09-08 . Pitbullterrier-Attacke auf Dreijährige: Jugendamt prüft . Pit bull terrier attack on three-year-old: Youth Welfare Office investigates . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114124640/https://www.diepresse.com/506805/pitbullterrier-attacke-auf-dreijaehrige-jugendamt-prueft . 2024-01-14 . 2024-04-07 . Die Presse . de-AT.
  55. Web site: 2019-11-10 . Schneeberger: Neue Vorgaben für ein sicheres Miteinander zwischen Mensch und Hund in Niederösterreich . Schneeberger: New requirements for safe coexistence between people and dogs in Lower Austria . https://web.archive.org/web/20210505225812/https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20091110_OTS0201/schneeberger-neue-vorgaben-fuer-ein-sicheres-miteinander-zwischen-mensch-und-hund-in-niederoesterreich . 2021-05-05 . 2024-04-07 . OTS.at . de-AT.