- The Zurich Veterinary Office has imposed strict requirements for the play “BLösch” with Mike Müller and the dog Pesche.
- Müller is no longer allowed to let his Russell terrier lick his face on stage.
- The term “testicle grip” must also not be mentioned.
Last year the comedian Mike Müller took part in his Performances in the Knie circus replaced his partner Viktor Giacobbo with the dog Pesche. Müller and Pesche completed around 100 performances together. The Russell Terrier showed various tricks.
Including one where he licks his master’s face. Now it was exactly this feat banned from an appearance by the two at the Schauspielhaus Zurich, as was the case NZZ writes. Namely from the Zurich Veterinary Office. It is just one of several prohibitions and commandments.
Busy owner-dog duo
Pesche’s actual name is Kojak von Tribis and was born on March 30, 2024. He is simply called Pesche. Although Müller grew up with dogs, he still hired a specialist for Pesche’s training. Fredy Knie is also said to have advised him on this.
Müller and Pesche apparently received permits from at least eight cantons to perform the tricks in the circus. In addition to the performances at Circus Knie, Pesche is also officially recognized as an ensemble member at the Schauspielhaus Zurich. “From the 2025/26 season, he and his dog Pesche will be an ensemble member at the Schauspielhaus Zurich,” says Müller’s vita on the theater’s website.
The two are active. Pesche, for example, accompanies Müller on his talk show “Pforte”. But when the two appeared together in the play “BLösch”, the veterinary office became concerned.
Veterinary office doesn’t like “testicle grip”.
The animal play is based on a novel by Beat Sterchi. Müller adapted and rewrote it for the stage. In one scene in the written play the word “testicle grip” appears. The veterinary office doesn’t seem to like that.
The term comes up against the background in which a butcher’s apprentice explains how to assess the fat deposits in slaughter ammunition. There is no actual “grip” in the piece – it is just talked about. The scene is omitted during the performance anyway because the piece would otherwise be too long.
When the Zurich veterinary office found out about the location in Müller’s adaptation, it is said to have started asking questions. The performance of the play “BLösch” was almost not allowed. According to the NZZ, it was only approved under certain conditions:
- “Dogs must not lick an actor’s face.”
- “It must be ensured that the dog does not touch the perianal and genital areas and that no touching in these regions is indicated or named.”
- If the permit and the associated additional requirements are violated, criminal charges will be filed for disobedience to an official order, which can be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 francs.
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Simon Misteli (sim), born in 1995, has been working as an editor at the news desk since 2024. He writes about a wide variety of topics with a focus on foreign stories.
