Mutilating animals, abandoning them, neglecting them, keeping them tied up for more than 10 hours at a time, or failing to provide adequate veterinary care are all offences under the new regional law on animal cruelty which came into effect this month.
As previously reported on this webpage, the legislation prohibits mutilating pets: including pricking ears, cutting tails and other “aesthetic” measures.
The law introduces strict conditions on the care of pets including dictating the length of rope or chain used to tie up the animals (three times the length of the pet) and limits the time tied up to 10 hours. They must not be subjected to «suffering.»
Owners may not have more than five dogs in their premises without special permission.
Pets must be kept in the “best of conditions” and be properly fed and cared for. Neglecting them, abandoning them or doping them are offences under this law.
Circuses in the region will not be able to employ animals in their acts.
Readers who witness animals cruelty which falls within this legislation can report abuses to the
the agency charged with enforcing the new legislation is Seprona, a special section of the Guardia Civil. You can call them on 062 or contact them at guardiacivil.com.
There is an APP for mobiles for reporting animal cruelty or abandon: ALERTA ANIMAL, www.justiciadefensaanimal.es.
Alternatively, you can report abuse to PACMA who will name and shame online with photos and any other details such as addresses etc at yodenuncio.pacma.es/denuncio.
If readers have any other suggestions please send them to the Editor at the email address in Contacts.
