News item | 13-01-2026 | 08:00
Dog bites are serious and can have major consequences for both the victim and those involved. To reduce the number of incidents, LVVN is taking measures, including improving the registration of dog bites. There is insufficient clarity about how many and what types of incidents occur per year. That is why from now on, anyone who has had to deal with a biting incident or other aggressive behavior by dogs can register this. This gives the government more insight into the number of incidents and the circumstances, so that measures are even better aligned with practice.
State Secretary Jean Rummenie: “I know from my own experience how serious a dog bite can be, because I was bitten myself once. The reporting center now makes it possible to register every dog bite and gain more insight into the extent of the problem. In addition to the reporting point, I am taking concrete measures such as the introduction of a mandatory parentage certificate for certain dogs, to reduce the chance of these terrible incidents.”
The National Dog Bites Reporting Center
Until now, there was no central place to keep track of biting incidents and other aggressive behavior of dogs. Many incidents were previously not recorded, while these sounds are important to better understand how this problem can be tackled effectively. With the advent of it national reporting point any incident can now be reported. This gives the government more insight, so that they can take measures to prevent biting incidents. It is therefore important that anyone who is confronted with a biting incident or other aggressive behavior by a dog, registers this with the national reporting center against dog bites.
The hotline is not intended for emergencies or reports. For these matters you can contact the police and, in case of emergency, 112. For local action, biting incidents can be reported to the municipality. The national reporting point is really intended to provide the government with insights into the problem.
Measures against biting incidents
Biting incidents are a serious problem and have a major impact. Various measures are therefore being developed to reduce the number of incidents. The government is investigating stricter rules for keeping and breeding dogs with certain characteristics. Such as dogs with powerful jaws and an alert character. Only dogs that have been bred according to strict conditions may be kept. They will receive a pedigree certificate stating that the dog has been bred in a responsible manner.
In addition, LVVN is working on a mandatory theory course for future dog owners. Such a course helps, among other things, in choosing a suitable dog and provides insight into what is involved in keeping a dog. By understanding a dog better and knowing how to act, problems can be prevented.
The ministry is also working on the introduction of a national leash and muzzle obligation. Currently, owners of dogs with dangerous behavior can only be required in their own municipality to always keep their dog on a leash and/or to have it wear a muzzle. In the future, this obligation would apply throughout the Netherlands.
Responsibility among owners
As an owner, you are responsible for your dog’s behavior. By understanding the dog and its behavior, owners can intervene in time and prevent incidents. The first thing is that as a (future) pet owner you should think carefully before purchasing an animal, because a pet is a major responsibility. That is why the government recently launched a campaign on responsible ownership.