Half of Berlin’s pet dogs kept illegally due to owners “boycotting” registration

Berlin pet owners are being suspected of “boycotting” the city’s dog microchip policy as official figures reveal a large discrepancy between the number of dogs taxed in the city and the number listed on its dog register.

Major discrepancy between dogs taxed and dogs registered in Berlin 

Figures from the city of Berlin, seen by local newspaper BZ, have revealed that dog owners in the capital may be avoiding registering their pets.

According to the BZ, 131.258 dogs were registered at the capital’s 17 district tax offices in 2023. Berlin dog owners have long been required to pay a tax for keeping their pet, which funds dog-related sanitation measures.

Since 2022, locals have also had to list their dog on the Hunderegister (dog register) with data from a microchip implant. But according to BZ, there are about half as many dogs on the Hunderegister as there are registered with the tax authorities, just 66.221 compared to 131.258.

Berlin dog owners suspected of boycotting Hunderegister

The discrepancy is leading to suspicions that dog owners are unofficially “boycotting” the Hunderegister due to data security concerns or because of the costs involved in having their dog microchipped.

On top of the cost of microchipping the dog, registering one dog costs 17,50 or 26,50 euros, depending on whether it is done by phone or via the internet. The Hundesregister is not run by the city of Berlin, but by a private company that collects these registration fees.

Owners can incur a fine of up to 10.000 euros if they are found not to have listed their animal on the Hunderegister.

The policy was already met with resistance when it was introduced in 2022. However, a spokesperson for the city said that the discrepancy might also be due to a lack of awareness that owners must register their dogs.