PM: Dogs that bit children in Carnikava should be put down
After a dog attack at a Carnikava kindergarten left six children and a teacher injured, Prime Minister Kulbergs said the animals must be euthanized, though he stressed the process must follow legal procedure.
Latvia's Prime Minister Kaspars Briedis Kulbergs has commented on social media on the incident in Carnikava, where on September 4 two large dogs attacked a group from the "Riekstiņš" kindergarten during a walk, biting six children and one staff member. Two of the injured children were hospitalized and required surgery; their condition is currently described as stable.
In his post, the prime minister stressed that Latvia is governed by the rule of law, meaning any action must follow legal procedure — the law requires that animals which have caused harm to people be euthanized, but only after police issue their findings. Kulbergs said the primary responsibility for the incident lies with the dogs' owner, adding that anyone who takes on a dog must be responsible for its socialization and training. In his view, if an owner cannot guarantee their dog will not endanger others, they should not keep that animal.
Investigation underway
Following the attack, the State Police opened a criminal case over crimes against general safety and public order, while the municipal police launched administrative violation proceedings. After initial procedural steps, the dogs were returned to their owner.
New legal framework not yet fully in force
Since July 1 of this year, amendments to the Animal Protection Law have been in effect, establishing special rules for dogs that have attacked people, including circumstances under which euthanasia is mandatory — specifically when a dog causes serious bodily harm or death and a court ruling holding the owner criminally liable has taken effect. This means euthanasia is not automatic immediately after an attack.
For the amended law to be fully applied, the Ministry of Agriculture was required to draft Cabinet regulations by July 1 setting stricter conditions for keeping dogs that have attacked someone, including muzzles, short leashes, adult supervision and other restrictions. Those regulations have still not been adopted. While this delay was not the reason the Carnikava dogs were not euthanized or were returned to their owner, it does mean the safety regime envisioned under the new law is not yet fully implemented nationwide. Political responsibility for this gap in the regulations is attributed to the Ministry of Agriculture.
