Title: Experts Urge Increased Mental Testing for Dogs in Sweden
Three thousand people in Sweden seek care every year after being injured by dogs, yet mental tests are only performed on an average of 50 dogs annually. This alarming disparity has prompted concern from experts and police dog testers.
Patrik Hopstadius, a police dog tester in Umeå, expressed the potential dangers of not properly evaluating the mental state of dogs involved in attacks. “It can result in dangerous dogs not being stopped,” he said in an interview with Sweden’s radio Ekot.
In light of these concerns, several experts participating in the miniseries “Kamphundarna” have advocated for an increase in mental testing for dogs that have bitten people or animals. Since 2018, the responsibility for assessing whether a mental test should be ordered lies with the county administrative board where the dog resides, with the test being carried out by the police.
The purpose of the test is to investigate whether the dog is at risk of attacking again. However, even if the police recommend euthanasia, the county administrative board is not required to follow up on the results.
The consequences of inadequate mental testing have been tragically evident in Sweden, with several severe attacks occurring each year. Last year, a woman died after being attacked by her dog in Robertsfors in Västerbotten.
As the debate over mental testing for dogs continues, experts emphasize the need for a more comprehensive and proactive approach to address the risks posed by potentially dangerous animals.