Boy severely bitten by dogs in Rhineland-Palatinate; authorities order leash and muzzle, consider removing animals

The incident

An 11-year-old boy was severely injured in Höheinöd (Südwestpfalz) after being bitten by at least one Bernese mountain dog. Four Bernese mountain dogs were on the property at the time. The mayor of the joint municipal association Waldfischbach-Burgalben, Felix Leidecker, confirmed that the local order authority has imposed a leash and muzzle obligation for all four animals. In the most extreme case, the dogs could be permanently removed from their owner, he said, and an expert evaluation of the dogs has already been commissioned. The boy required hospital treatment.

Regulatory landscape in Rhineland-Palatinate

The case has renewed attention on the obligations of dog owners. In Rhineland-Palatinate a so-called dog driving licence (Hundeführerschein) is not mandatory for private owners, unlike in some other German states. The president of the State Veterinary Chamber of Rhineland-Palatinate, Alexa Bach, explained that the licence is designed “to test and teach owners how to correctly assess their animal, its behaviour and body language, and whether they are capable of recognising and reducing risks in everyday life.” A separate certificate of expertise (Sachkundenachweis), structured as an extended driving licence, is compulsory only for keepers of dangerous dogs. Under state rules, a dog is considered dangerous if, among other criteria, it has proven to be prone to biting, aggressively jumps at people, or displays a level of fighting drive and aggression that exceeds the natural degree.

Biting incidents and prevention

Data from the Rhineland-Palatinate Supervisory and Service Directorate (ADD) show that 358 biting incidents involving dogs that injured people were registered in 2025, down from 388 in 2024.

The State Veterinary Chamber points to lack of expertise, poor boundary setting, insufficient habituation to everyday and stressful situations, and incorrect assessment of dog behaviour as factors that can raise the risk of serious bites. Inadequate supervision during contact between dogs and children is also a contributing element.

In our view, particularly suitable for reducing severe biting incidents would be better training in recognising stress and warning signals in dogs, clear rules for children’s interaction with dogs and appropriate supervision, as well as awareness that animals need retreat spaces and rest periods.

What happens next

The local order authority is now responsible for the further proceedings. The evaluation of the four dogs is underway and will determine whether the animals are permanently removed. Bernese mountain dogs are not listed among the breeds automatically classified as dangerous in Rhineland-Palatinate, but the behavioural assessment will guide the final decision. The case has underscored calls from the veterinary chamber for broader expert training for dog owners and clearer public guidance on child-dog interactions.