Süßenbrunn dog fence sparks controversy in Vienna

A new 150,000-euro dog fence installed at the Süßenbrunn bathing pond in Vienna's Donaustadt district has drawn criticism from local dog owners. The primary complaint is that the fence is positioned too high off the ground in several sections, potentially allowing smaller dogs to slip underneath.

In response, the municipal department responsible for city gardens, MA 42, stated that the design is standard for dog zones and was coordinated with the Vienna Animal Welfare Ombudsman. Officials explained that gaps of 10 to 15 centimeters were intentionally left in certain areas to allow small wildlife to pass through, though they noted that ground conditions may cause these gaps to be larger in some spots. MA 42 also emphasized that under animal keeping laws, owners are responsible for ensuring their pets are not left unsupervised.

Additionally, rumors have circulated among dog owners that approximately 30 meters of the fence might be dismantled to restore wildlife access to the pond. The Donaustadt district administration has dismissed these claims as rumors, stating that the fence is simply not yet fully completed and should be finished within the coming days.