德國將立法規定一天遛狗兩次 引發熱議

德國政府計劃在2021年出臺一項新規，要求養狗的人們每天必須遛狗兩次，每次一小時。消息一出，在德國民間引發了大討論。

A new rule forcing Germans to take their dog for a walk twice a day has unleashed a debate on whether the state can decide what is best for the country’s 9.4 million pet canines.

德國計劃出臺新規，要求養狗的人們每天必須遛狗兩次。這項新規引發爭論，即政府是否有權決定應該怎樣照顧該國約940萬隻寵物狗。

Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner announced this week she had taken expert advice and was introducing a law to ensure dogs go for a walk or run in the garden at least one hour twice a day.

德國農業部長茱莉亞·克洛克納本週宣佈，她已經聽取了專家的建議，並將推行一項新的立法，以確保德國寵物狗每天至少在花園裏跑動撒歡兩次，每次一小時。

“Pets are not cuddly toys - their needs have to be considered,” said Kloeckner, adding pets must get sufficient exercise and not be left alone for too long.

她說：“寵物不是可愛的玩具，主人們要考慮它們的需要。”她補充道，動物們必須得到足夠的鍛鍊，不能單獨待太久。

cuddly [ˈkʌdli]：adj.令人想擁抱的；逗人喜愛的

With almost one in five German homes owning a hound, the new “Animal Welfare Dog Regulation”, which also sets limits on the transportation of farm animals in hot weather, affects a significant proportion of the population.

德國近五分之一的家庭都養獵犬。新的“狗狗動物福利條例”也對在炎熱天氣裏運輸農場動物做出了限制，影響了很大一部分人口。

“Compulsory Walkies for Dog Owners? Rubbish!” wrote the top-selling Bild newspaper in an opinion piece on the new decree.

德國最暢銷的《圖片報》在一篇評論文章中怒批新規：“強迫狗主人帶狗散步？荒唐至極！”

A spokesman for the VDH German Dog Association said most owners were laughing at the new rule because they already spent enough time walking their four-legged friend.

德國狗類協會VDH的一位發言人說，大多數狗主人都在嘲笑這項新規定，因爲他們本來就已經花費了夠多時間陪伴自家的狗狗朋友。

“One rule for all dogs is probably well meant but unrealistic,” said VDH spokesman Udo Kopernik.

協會發言人烏多·科佩爾尼克說：“給所有的狗制定一條規定可能是出於好意，但不現實。”

Dog trainer Anja Striegel said the amount of exercise a dog needs depended on the health, age and breed of dog.

馴狗師安雅·斯特里格爾說，狗狗需要的運動量取決於其健康狀況、年齡和品種。

“For a young, fit Labrador, two hours of walkies are healthier than for an arthritic pug with heart problems,” she told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

她在接受《南德意志報》採訪時表示：“與一隻患有關節炎和心臟病的哈巴狗相比，每天活動兩個小時更適合一隻健康年輕的拉布拉多犬。”

pug[pʌɡ]：n.哈巴狗

Germany’s most popular breeds are the German Shepherd and short-legged, long-bodied Dachshund, known as “sausage dogs” followed by Labradors, retrievers and Jack Russell Terriers and pugs.

德國最受歡迎的犬種是德國牧羊犬和短腿長體臘腸犬，其次是拉布拉多、尋回犬、傑克羅素梗犬和哈巴狗。

Then there is the question of enforcement. The ministry has said the 16 federal states will be responsible for enforcing the rule but it is unclear how.

這一新規將如何執行也成爲問題。德國農業部表示，16個聯邦州將負責執行這一規定，但具體執行方式尚不清楚。