Archive article
Originally published in 2019. This article is retained for historical reference. For the current framework, consult our animal law guides and 2026 briefing.
The district court (AG) Daun decided that the owner of a mixed breed dog does not have to be liable for unintentional mating of a mating pedigree dog by his male dog.
A mongrel male mated with a female in heat. Six mixed-breed puppies resulted from it. The owner of the non-pedigree puppies sued the owner of the male dog for damages. The court rejected the complaint. Reason? The owner could not hold his dog responsible for his instincts – to mate a female dog in heat.
Urteil des AG Daun, Aktenzeichen: 3 G 436/95
Male dog holder does not have to be liable for mating