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Swiss dog owners will require special course
Reuters
Published: Monday, June 18, 2007

GENEVA -- Dog owners in Geneva will have to undergo a special course to learn how to keep their pooches in line, under a new local law voted Sunday.

The proposal was backed by 81.7 percent of the electorate who turned up to cast their ballot in the western Swiss canton of Geneva.

It will force some 30,000 dog owners to attend a compulsory course on how to handle their pets. The move comes after a series of fatal canine attacks on people.

Under the new law, owners of guard dogs will have to get certificates stating they are adults and that their pets are properly trained.

Vicious breeds will be limited to one per household and their cross-breeding will be banned.