Authorities seize family's dog over unpaid taxes, sell it online
What's the story
Heard of "legal" dog tax? If not, this is news for you. An unnamed family of five including three young children residing in Ahlen, Germany, had an issue of unsettled debts, which also included a local dog tax that they owed the town authorities. As a result, debt collectors confiscated the family's valuable being, a female pug named Edda, and sold it on eBay.
Do you know?
Many cities, communities in Germany charge local dog tax
Local dog tax is imposed by many cities in Germany. In Ahlen, the tax for having one dog in a population of 57,000, is almost $90 (Rs. 6,300) annually. This tax is a result of the European Regulation Act, which was established in 2003.
Reports
'Authorities visited to seize the paralyzed man's wheelchair'
Citing local media reports, the BBC detailed that initially, the authorities visited the family with an intent to seize the wheelchair of the husband. However, the authorities vehemently denied the same, saying these are mere 'rumors'. The man, a father of three kids, became paraplegic after an accident, after which the family started having financial issues, and their dues increased.
Information
Confiscation and selling of pug legal, reports German town
Coming back to Edda, the pedigree pooch was sold off on eBay at 750 Euros (Rs. 60,000) by the town authorities. The act of confiscating and selling the pug was labeled legal because it was apparently done after the seizure of all inessential household goods.
Case
Edda's new owner plans to sue the town authorities
However, Edda's woes are far from over. A police officer named Michaela Jordan had bought the little pooch. But now, she has filed a legal complaint against the town officials, asserting that the dog has several medical issues which were not revealed at the time of selling. Jordan now plans to sue the town and demand the town to cover the medical costs.
Debate
Animal rights activists question authorities, say this is animal cruelty
Meanwhile, this act has given rise to a fierce debate, with animal rights activists denouncing the town's decision to separate the dog from the family. Birgitt Thiesmann, an activist at Vier Pfoten, a German animal protection charity, told the New York Times, "I don't know what was more outrageous: the fact that they seized the dog or that they put it on eBay."
Tweets
'How much they pay for a child on eBay?'
Netizens also expressed their concern and questioned if the authorities in charge have violated the law. @Iza_kuleshova tweeted, "According to the spokesman's logic sale of family's children would be more pragmatic solution. I mean, how much they pay for a child on eBay?" @jamesha68080317 commented, "The question is in 2019- What has Germany become? Seizing the dog or selling it on E-BAY??"
Twitter Post
Snatching dogs! Is it legal, asks one stunned Twitter user
Is #pug-snatching legal?https://t.co/PlJPY7GE0F
— Alan Pringle (@alanpringle) February 28, 2019