Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

In Sweden it is the County Administrative Board’s responsibility to make decisions about dog bans. The aim of this study was to (1) identify the most recent documented factor leading to the dog ban decision, (2) explore to what extent the number of injunctions before a dog ban varies with regards to the most recent documented event in the cases and (3) search for potential trends in the development of the amount of dog ban decisions between 2018-2024. An analysis was conducted on all the dog ban decisions taken between 2018 and 2024. The results show that dog bans often are preceded by injunctions and are not used as a first measure. A dog attacking another dog or human were the two most frequent factors preceding a dog ban decision. The bans are most commonly used as a last resort where other interventions are considered to not be sufficient. Using a dog as a weapon or violation of a previous dog ban were the two factors that most often led to a dog ban without a previous injunction. Thus, insinuating the County Administrative Board’s assessment of such a factor as grave and other interventions as not sufficient. There was an identifiable trend for the amount of dog ban decisions in Sweden made between 2018-2024. The amount of dog bans are increasing by the year. There was a large increase and slight decrease between the years of 2021-2023 which can most definitely be explained as effects caused by the pandemic. In conclusion, the dog bans are a powerful tool used the County Administrative Board meant to protect other animals and humans from becoming victim to a dog attack. They must however be well motivated and be based on solid and fair decision making. At the same time, the individual's attitude and actions greatly influences the decision-making process. The work shows that dog bans are a last resort measure that is only issued when no other measures are to be considered helpful.