A dog may be a man’s best friend but a bad owner can turn a pet into your worst nightmare and now the Town Hall intends to do something about it.
A new municipal regulation introduces special rules for the owners of certain breeds, fines for owners who allow their dogs to run wild and for those who allow their pets to foul the pavements.
The Calasparra equivalent of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which introduces strict rules and regulations for the owners of “dangerous dogs and breeds”, was unanimously approved at the full Council Meeting of the Town Hall this week.
“Being in possession of a dog of a breed considered to be dangerous may prove very expensive for those who do not have the capacity or sufficient responsibility to train the dog to behave like a pet and not like a wild animal.
“In the case of attacks by dangerous dogs on defenseless people, including children, it nearly always transpires that the owners have not obeyed the “norms” of dog ownership,” says a Municipal Press Release.
The new regulation approved this week means owners of all dogs but particularly those owning “dangerous breeds” who do not comply with the law will face grave consequences.
REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE NEW REGULATION
This new Municipal Regulation or Ordinance for Domestic Pets requires that the owners of a dog of a potentially dangerous breed register the animal in the Municipal Register.
The owner must be over 18 years old and may not have any previous convictions for any serious crimes nor have any associations with criminals or those dealing in drugs.
The owner must demonstrate the physical and mental aptitude to own such a breed of dog.
The owner must take out Third Party Insurance to cover their civil responsibilities.
The regulation intorduces fines for those who abandon dogs or who allow their dogs to foul public areas.
The Head of the Department of Security, José Velez, says there has been an increase in the number of phone calls from the public reporting these types of offences in various parts of the area and the local police would be vigilant in ensuring that residents comply with the new regulations.
