Begging with animals is forbidden in Salzburg
According to politicians, the animals are misused to arouse sympathy and sympathy from passers-by in order to “maximize” begging earnings. The needs of the animals are neglected.
As early as October 2022, the responsible committee of the state parliament dealt with three applications from the ÖVP, SPÖ and FPÖ and the online petition “Against begging with animals” signed by 3,850 people. After the legal examination has now taken place, the People’s Party will submit an initiative motion to change the law in the state parliament on Wednesday. All five factions announced their approval. The amendment to the state security law is expected to be passed.
“Husky must stay in place”
Animal lovers repeatedly complained that the dogs were often exposed to high temperatures, the effects of the weather and restricted mobility. “To make matters worse, the beggars work in shifts, so they take turns, but the husky has to stay in place,” emphasized the initiators of the petition. The animals are constantly being overwhelmed and overstimulated and have no opportunity to retreat.
The application by the ÖVP also mentions that the dogs are often not kept, cared for and cared for appropriately and often have illnesses. In addition, reports are piling up that animal lovers then buy the dogs from beggars out of pity. This would result in a lucrative new source of income for organized beggars.
Most dogs are vaccinated and chipped
“Together with the Office for Public Order, we carry out regular checks on the animals,” said Constanze Antosch, head of the Market and Veterinary Office of the City of Salzburg, to the APA. The dogs would be looked at by veterinarians for general behavior, complaints or symptoms. It was also checked whether the animals were vaccinated and microchipped and whether the beggars could show the relevant documents. “That is largely fulfilled.”
In the dogs, however, hair tangles, ear infections or problems with the teeth would be found again and again: “But not to an extent that there would be a reason for a decrease,” emphasized Antosch. there has already been a decrease in serious cases in the past.
Pushy begging or begging with children prohibited
Paragraph 29 of the Salzburg State Security Act already prohibits intrusive and aggressive begging, begging with children and organized begging. With the amendment that is now being sought, the fact of “taking an animal with you” is to be added. Based on previous case law, the country’s lawyers do not see this as an illegal encroachment on fundamental rights. Silent begging and thus the “appeal to the solidarity and financial helpfulness of others” will continue to be possible.
Violations are punishable by a fine of up to 500 euros or imprisonment for up to one week. Begging with animals thus also corresponds to the sanctions that apply to begging with the help of underage minors. Or as it says in the application: Both can be regarded as comparable in terms of the unlawful content.