Dog ownership - Exemption from the leash requirement

• Tierhaftpflichtversicherung (dog liability insurance) Proof of taking out sufficient liability insurance in the form of an insurance policy. The statutory duty to maintain dog owner liability insurance also applies to dogs that are kept outside Berlin but are walked in Berlin. • Chip-Kennzeichnung (microchip identification) A dog that has completed its third month of life must be fitted with a tamper-proof identification. Dog owners must arrange this at their own expense. The chip or identification number always consists of a 15-digit numeric code. • Sachkunde (proof of expertise) <https://gesetze.berlin.de/bsbe/?docId=jlr-NNLBE00004860NN00000000009&query=JURISLINK%3A%22HuHG+BE+%C2%A7+6%22> You must have theoretical knowledge and practical skills regarding the keeping and handling of a dog. • Main residence in Berlin Dog handlers who do not live in Berlin also have the option of being exempted from the leash requirement. The application must be submitted to the Ordnungsamt (public order office) in whose district the dog is walked most frequently.

• Application for exemption from the leash requirement (Leinenpflicht) You will receive the application form on request from the office responsible for you (zuständige Behörde). • Details about the dog • Dog breed/crossbreed • Chip number • Date of birth • Withers height in cm: The withers height is measured from the side with the dog standing straight. The tape measure runs from the ground to the highest point of the shoulder blade. • Proof of expertise (Sachkundenachweis) The following are considered knowledgeable in handling dogs: • Persons who, within the past 5 years, have kept a dog continuously and without complaint for 3 years. Proof: dog tax assessment (Hundesteuerbescheid) and a declaration of complaint-free dog ownership; after submitting the application, presentation of the dog to the responsible office to match the chip number • Persons who have successfully passed the expertise examination (Sachkundeprüfung) under § 7 HundeG Berlin (Berlin Dogs Act) (or a comparable examination). Proof: proof of expertise (theoretical and practical), issued by an approved expert, must be submitted. This proof may be submitted later. • Persons whose expertise has been recognized by another authority. Proof: notice of recognition of expertise, and if applicable a certificate of the result of the expertise examination • Veterinarians, service dog handlers, hunting dog handlers, holders of a permit to train dogs for protection purposes, to train dogs, or to instruct dog owners, holders of a permit for the commercial breeding or keeping of dogs. Proof: to be shown in each case by suitable documents (e.g. Approbationsurkunde [professional licensing certificate], proof of examinations passed, dog ID) • Photo of the dog owner Clearly recognizable, current photo without a border (front-facing shot, without headwear or anything covering the eyes) The photo will be inserted into your ID card for the certificate of expertise and serves to clearly identify the person. The ID card is issued to a named individual and is not transferable. • Temperament test (Wesenstest), if applicable (for listed dog breeds/Listenhunde) Proof of a temperament test, issued by an approved expert, must be submitted. It is important that the temperament test also tested your dog's off-leash behavior (Freilauf) (this is the case if a check mark was made next to "Empfehlung für das weitere Halten und Führen des Hundes" [recommendation on the further keeping and handling of the dog] on the temperament test certificate). This proof may be submitted later.

• The application form is issued at the Behörde (office) upon request

20.50 euros: for each commenced quarter hour of processing time, maximum 164.00 euros: issuance of the Sachkundebescheinigung (certificate of expertise) when applying for exemption from the general leash requirement • 61.50 euros (min.): issuance of the Sachkundebescheinigung (certificate of expertise) (for expertise held over several years or recognized expertise from another federal state) • 41.00 euros (min.): issuance of the Sachkundebescheinigung (certificate of expertise) (after expertise examination, for professional status or permit) • 15.00 euros: replacement certificate • 20.50 euros: for each commenced quarter hour of processing time, maximum 246.00 euros: issuance of the Sachkundebescheinigung (certificate of expertise) for listed dog breeds (Listenhunde)

• Hundegesetz (HundeG) (Dog Act) <https://gesetze.berlin.de/bsbe/?docId=jlr-NNLBE000048F5NN00000000002&query=JURISLINK%3A%22HuHGDV+BE+Inhaltsverzeichnis%22> • Hundegesetzdurchführungsverordnung (HundeG-DVO) (Dog Act Implementation Ordinance) gesetze.berlin.de/bsbe/document/jlr-NNLBE000048F5NN000000000 • Verbraucherschutzgebührenordnung (VSGebO) (Consumer Protection Fee Ordinance) Annex, Section II, Tariff item 34080, 34081 and 34070 gesetze.berlin.de/perma?d=jlr-NNLBE00004EC4NN00000000009

• Information on the Berliner Hundegesetz (Berlin Dog Act) (Senatsverwaltung für Justiz und Verbraucherschutz, Senate Department for Justice and Consumer Protection) www.berlin.de/sen/verbraucherschutz/aufgaben/hundehaltung/be

Dog handlers who do not live in Berlin submit the application to the Ordnungsamt (public order office) in whose district the dog is most frequently walked.