The new “Ley de Bienestar Animales” (Animal Well-Being Law), which aims to protect pets and punish those who ill-treat them, has passed the first stage in Congress.
The law must now pass through the Senate where the Government has a majority. Until then the law is not in effect.
These are some of the novelties in the new Law:
Firstly, hunting dogs have been excluded from the Law*
Secondly, dogs, cars and ferrets may not be sold in Pet Shops or any other commercial establishment nor may they be displayed in shop windows. It will be permitted to sell birds, rodents and fish.
Thirdly, breeding animals is prohibited unless by licensed breeders.
Animals may not participate in Shows or Circuses.
A dog may only be left alone in a house for 24 hours. Dogs may not be kept on balconies, in cellars, terraces or left alone in a car. Sheep dogs are excluded but must have a system to locate them and a refuge for bad weather.
A cat, hamster or caged bird may be left for a maximum of three days:
Fines for exceeding these limits go up to 10,000 euros.
There will be a list of animals permitted as pets under this law but it has not yet been finalized. The exclusion may include hamsters, tortoises and parakeets.
Under the law new owners must take a free course to accredit their capacity to keep a type of animal.**
No dogs will be considered “potentially dangerous” under this Law. But all dogs must pass an obedience and behaviour exam, and if they fail, must wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead in public until they pass.
These are just some of the changes in the new Law. Nexonr will keep readers updated on the progress of the Law and any changes and further details when they are available:
*Hunting dogs are exempt. This almost caused a breach in the Coalition Government as the PSOE (Socialist) insisted on this exclusion. The Government partners, Podemos, objected strongly to this exclusion and cited widespread ill treatment of hunting dogs. It is election year and this could explain the PSOE reluctance to include hunting dogs and, hopefully, a new law, especially designed to protect them, will be introduced
subsequently.
** Details of this course are currently sketchy although it will be possible t
