Sint-Truiden (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Sint-Truiden, police confiscated 2 aggressive shepherd dogs due to repeated escapes. Chief Steve Provost emphasized stricter leash laws and ongoing collaboration with vzw Dierenvrienden, providing €35,000 yearly for stray management.
Local police took action to deal with the rising issue of stray dogs. They confiscated two dogs and placed them in the Sint-Truiden animal shelter for a short time. The owner was told he could get his dogs back if he made sure they could not escape again.
According to authorities, after getting his pets back, the owner did not secure them. This led to another incident where the dogs escaped and caused more trouble. Because of this ongoing problem, local authorities began to think about new steps to handle the issue of stray and uncontrolled dogs in the community.
I have also had to deal with those 2 shepherd dogs in the morning when I walked my dog, not responsible,
reads a second response.
What actions did Sint-Truiden police take to address stray dogs?
In late January 2025, the Sint-Truiden-Gingelom-Nieuwerkerken police had a problem with two shepherd dogs. These dogs were taken away because they were aggressive and liked to roam. Chief of Police Steve Provost said the police learned about this later in the evening, which made it hard to investigate right away.
They started asking people in the neighbourhood, and on January 30, 2025, the animal police visited the area. The police received some video of the dogs running, but it was from before they were taken. In the newer videos, the police could not confirm if the dogs had escaped again.
“In the meantime, we received a report that the dogs were running loose again,”
said Steve Provost,
Chief Provost is worried that local disputes might affect the dog situation. He said the police are committed to dealing with stray and dangerous dogs. These cases need special attention. He mentioned that since 2006, the police have worked with vzw Dierenvrienden Sint-Truiden to help manage stray animals.
They give €35,000 each year to support this group. They mentioned that this partnership ensures a service to capture and care for stray, lost, or abandoned animals in the area. The goal is to improve how stray animals are treated in the community.
Dogs must always be kept on a leash in public areas.
Steve Provost
According to the police cheif, people should call the police if they see dogs running loose. Loose dogs can make others feel unsafe. Owners who don’t keep their dogs on a leash can also cause problems. He insists that all dogs must be on a leash in public areas.
We have the impression that this also concerns neighbourhood disputes, which will not prevent us from taking further action against stray, possibly dangerous dogs. That requires a different, specific approach,
says the police chief.
The police and Mayor Ludwig Vandenhove are watching the situation. They will take action if things do not get better. They mentioned that both small and large dogs can be dangerous. The local police will check more often to ensure owners follow the rules.
We will not hesitate to take new measures if the conditions are not met. Dogs must be kept on a leash, small and large, every dog can be dangerous. The local police will now carry out extra checks on this,
Provost said.
In early January 2025, there was a serious problem with stray dogs in the Sint-Truiden-Gingelom-Nieuwerkerken police zone. A dog owner shared on Facebook that one of the stray dogs attacked their pet. The stray dog shook their dog back and forth, which caused serious injuries that needed surgery. This incident quickly caught people’s attention on social media.
Officials mentioned that it was not the first time that the owner of these stray dogs had problems. They had received several fines in the past for allowing the dogs to escape and cause trouble, including noise issues.
The animals were extremely aggressive and within no time my dog was grabbed by one of them and violently thrown back and forth shaken again,
the dog’s owner said on facebook.
In January 2025, local police also gave the group a vehicle to help them do their work better. They mentioned that this effort is part of a larger plan by local authorities to manage stray animals more effectively and prevent future problems like the recent incident that injured a dog.
These two dogs often walk around freely here in the Steenovenstraat. The police know about it and so do the Social Housing and the mayor. The dogs have already chased children. The problem has been going on for more than 2 years,
the comments say.
