34 sled dogs seized in Emmental

The veterinary service of the canton of Bern today seized 34 Huskies in the Emmental region.

The animals had insufficient exercise. The operation was preceded by a multi-year animal welfare proceeding. The animals will be cared for by military personnel until their sale.

Federal Supreme Court upholds seizure

The veterinary service, with the support of the police and the canton of Bern's competence center for army animals, today enforced a Federal Supreme Court ruling in Röthenbach and seized 34 dogs. The owner of the husky farm had failed to meet the deadline to reduce his animal stock to 19 dogs.

A multi-year animal welfare proceeding had preceded the seizure. In December 2014, the veterinary service had ordered a reduction of the stock to 19 animals due to deficiencies in dog keeping. The Federal Supreme Court upheld the order on 1 February 2018 and granted the dog owner a period of six months to carry out the reduction.

Too little staff for over 50 animals

With a stock of over 50 animals, three full-time employees would be required to care for the dogs. However, such personnel were not available at the breeder's facility.

The Federal Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision and found that the reduction of the stock did not constitute an infringement of economic freedom nor a violation of the principle of proportionality.

The dogs, primarily of the Husky and Siberian Husky breeds, were in good condition at the time of seizure. The army will accommodate and care for the dogs until their sale. More on animal rights.