Hamburgs Ersten Bürgermeister
Herrn Ole von Beust

Betr.: Hundesammellager in Harburg

 

Dear Lord Mayor of Hamburg, dear Ole von Beust,

I have learnt recently about the “Harburgen Hundehallen” in Hamburg, I saw the video taken there and many photographs of dogs from those halls. The dogs were either abandoned by their owners or taken away from their families for various reasons. The only thing they did wrong was that they belonged to the breeds that were (and, unfortunately, still are) considered to be dangerous.

As I have heard and seen, there is no real daylight in that shelter. More than 200 dogs are sitting alone each in one small kennel. They don't have blankets or toys. If they get out in a somewhat more bigger area within the hall 10 minutes a week, it means they were lucky. Their social contacts to man or dog or whatever tends to zero. For some of the dogs for 18 months now. Nobody is allowed to go into that hall - with very few exceptions. All of those dogs are temperament tested. Temperament tests in Hamburg are not that easy to be passed, so the dogs must be really okay.

I would like to know why the dogs must stay in the shelter? What are they waiting for? For death?

Would not it be much better to allow the dogs to be reunited with their owners if possible or to find them new homes? Those dogs seem to be unwanted in your country, may I ask you if it would be possible to find them new homes abroad?

When it is necessary to keep them in the halls forever from the reason which I do not understand, why they cannot live in better conditions? The dogs should be kept according to the animal protection law (it means: regular walking, kennels big enough, daylight, blankets and social contacts).

I think it is very sad that the first word coming on my mind when I hear “Hamburg” is “Hundehallen”.

Dear Lord Mayor, I believe that you and the new City Parliament will do your best to return the poor animals to the normal life. Or do you think there is any good reason to keep the dogs imprisoned for the rest of their lives? Will you let me know, please, how you want to solve the current situation which puts to shame your city so much.

Thank you very much for your kind answer.

With best regards

..............................

Czech Republic