Dog bite on the bathing lake: Eleven year old boy injured, owner displayed!

Dog bite on the bathing lake: Eleven year old boy injured, owner displayed!

On Sunday, July 21, 2025, an eleven-year-old boy was attacked and injured by a dog at Lake Pleschinger in Steygg, Urfahr-Umgebung district. The incident occurred when the boy was traveling to get water from a fountain. The dog was without a leash and muzzle and thus in direct violation of the general dog ban on the bathing lake, which exists during the summer months. The 21-year-old dog owner, who was on the lawn with friends during the incident, is now reported by the police because his negligence led to the boy's injuries.

The boy suffered injuries to his hand and thigh in the attack. After the first aid on site, he was brought to the Kepler University Hospital, where he was treated on an outpatient basis. The incident triggered concern among residents and many bathers and once again sparked the debate about the security of dealing with dogs in public places.

Safety of dogs in public space

The legal aspects of holding and leading dogs are regulated by the hazard defense ordinance on holding and leading dogs (dog vo), which was issued on January 22, 2003 and last amended on November 30, 2022. According to § 1 paragraph 1 of the dog VO, there is a general requirement of consideration when holding and leading dogs. Among other things, this includes the regulation that dogs outside of fitting possessions must not be left unattended, whereby violations of this regulation are punished with fines.

Particularly dangerous dogs that are listed in § 2 paragraph 1 of the dog VO may only be kept with a special permission of the responsible local regulatory authority. These dangerous dogs include specific breeds, as well as their intersections and dogs that have bitten or jumped at people in the past. For the granting of such permission, the proof of expertise and a positive nature test is required, which must be checked by local authorities.

The current incident on Lake Pleschinger not only affects the affected family, but also raises fundamental questions to comply with the existing regulations on dealing with dogs. The regular control and enforcement of the dog VO by the responsible authorities is considered essential to prevent similar incidents in the future.