List of fatal dog attacks in France

This is a list of human deaths caused by dogs presented in reverse chronological order, and documented through news media, official reports, cause-of-death statistics, scientific publications, or other sources. For additional information on causes of death and studies related to fatalities resulting from dog bites or attacks, see Fatal dog attacks.
According to a publication that examined fatal dog attacks over a period of 17 years, an average of five people die per year due to a dog attack or as a late consequence of a bite in France. Eurostat data recorded 79 fatal attacks during the period studied.

Legal consequences

In France, dog owners or dog handlers are liable for any damage caused by their dog. In case of a fatal dog attack, the responsible person can be prosecuted for manslaughter and face up to 5 years in prison and €75,000 of fine. Penalties can increase to 7 years imprisonment and €100,000 of fine if one of the following applies:

possession or keeping of the dog has been prohibited by law or court order
the dog owner was under the influence of alcohol or narcotics
laws regarding 1st or 2nd category dogs were not complied with
the dog was abused
mandatory vaccination against rabies is not up to date

These penalties increase to 10 years imprisonment and €150,000 of fine when at least 2 circumstances were present when the dog attack occurred.

Legislation

Animal cruelty

Laws regarding the keeping and well-being of dogs are regulated on a national and on a European level in France. France ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals in 2003. The treaty of the Council of Europe prohibits the docking of tails, debarking and removing of the four canine teeth. The article R214-21 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code also prohibits surgical procedures for cosmetic purposes, like the cropping of dog ears. The articles 521-1 to 521-2 of the penal code regulate the penalties for animal cruelty. If a dog shows signs of mistreatment it can lead to aggravating circumstances in a fatal dog attack case.

Dangerous dogs

France changed its laws in 1999 with the intention of reducing attacks and serious injuries caused by dogs. In 2008, the relevant laws were tightened, introducing behavioral assessment and mandatory training sessions for all dogs that bit a person. Furthermore it was made easier to seize potentially dangerous dogs. The articles R211-11 to R211-18 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code regulate dangerous dogs and list several measurements to prevent danger.
French rural and penal codes distinguishes between two categories of dangerous dogs.
Category 1: Attack dogs are dogs from crossings morphologically similar to dogs like the American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff or Tosa. The American Pit Bull Terrier is not recognized as a dog breed in France, instead they are seen as a type of dog.
Since January 6, 1999, any transfer of a category 1 dog is an offense. This applies to European France, overseas departments and regions of France, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. Violations are punishable with 6 months imprisonment and €15,000 of fine. This also adheres to tourists or people who only pass through France with their dog.
Category 2: Guard or defense dogs are purebred dogs such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Rottweiler or the Tosa with a pedigree as well as dogs morphologically similar to Rottweilers.
Owners of category 1 and category 2 dogs have to fulfill certain requirements and adhere to certain rules, like having a civil liability insurance or having their dog secured on a leash and with a muzzle, for example.

Prevention measures

Collecting loose or stray dogs

Local authorities are responsible for collecting loose or stray dogs. Each municipality must have suitable facilities to house those dogs. If the owner of the dog can be identified, he will be informed by the authorities and can claim the dog within 8 days. The dog owner is liable for all costs that arise when a dog has to be caught and cared for. If the dog is not claimed within 8 days it will be transferred to an animal shelter and put up for adoption.

Health surveillance and behavioral assessment

Anyone with knowledge of a dog attacking a human is required to make a report of the incident to the local authorities. Two proceedings are mandatory in case of a dog bite:

health surveillance of the dog
behavioral assessment of the dog

The health of the dog must be surveilled by an authorized veterinarian for a period of 15 days. The dog must be seen by the same veterinarian 3 times. This health surveillance is obligatory, even if the dog is vaccinated against rabies.