Twice as many dog bites in five years in the canton of Jura

This increase in dog bites is partly attributable to illegal puppy imports, the reporting of incidents, and inadequate socialisation of dogs.

The absence of regulations in certain cantons also plays a role.

Christina Sigrist, an animal behaviourist, says that many dog owners behave abnormally. They often pet their dogs while they are barking and are unable to call them back.

Doubling of cases

Over the past five years, the number of dog bites has nearly doubled — from 44 in 2019 to 83 in 2024. The cantonal veterinarian Laurent Monnerat explains that last year half of the bites involved humans and the other half involved dogs. It is important to take every bite seriously and consult a doctor, even if it appears minor, as it can lead to infections and emotional distress. Children are particularly at risk from bites, as they are at eye level with the dog.

Poorly socialised

The rise in bites exceeds the growth of the dog population. At the start of 2019, the canton of Jura had 8’054 dogs; by 2025 this figure had risen to 8’419, representing an increase of 5%. Many people purchased puppies during the pandemic, but the dogs were often not well socialised. Due to remote working, the dogs did not always learn to live without their owners.

Illegal puppy imports, driven by the growing prevalence of social media, have exacerbated the situation, as many buyers are not informed about the necessary conditions for importation. Veterinarian Alexandra Choffat warns that purchasing dogs without information about their origin and breeding can lead to socialisation problems.

Dog trainer Marion François observes that many dogs are turning away from people. Many owners do not know how to handle their animals when they are distracted. She also notes that dogs in the Jura are less socialized than elsewhere and that increasingly aggressive cases are emerging, ultimately requiring euthanasia.

There is criticism of dog clubs that frequently deny dangerous breeds access to training courses, and concerns that many trainers are insufficiently qualified.

More aggressive without training?

Poor socialization of dogs has also increased since mandatory courses for new dog owners were abolished in 2017. The canton of Jura has neither reintroduced compulsory courses nor banned specific breeds, despite leading the country in the number of dogs per capita.