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18-11-2023, 12:08 AM
Spain's new animal welfare law came into effect in September 2023¹. The law applies to domestic and captive wild animals, but excludes dogs used for hunting or other professional activities such as search and rescue dogs and those operating with law enforcement. It also excludes animals used in bullfighting or production¹. Here are some of the key points of the law:
- Dog owners will have to make sure their pets have third party liability insurance.
- Cats will have to be sterilized before six months unless registered for breeding.
- There will be a ban on keeping pets permanently on balconies and terraces.
- Pets must be identified with a microchip.
- Regularly keeping dogs and cats in outside spaces, storage rooms, basements or vehicles is prohibited.
- The commercial breeding of pets, whose individual identification will be compulsory under new regulations, will not be permitted unless the person responsible is registered on an official list of pet breeders.
- Circuses will no longer be allowed to keep/exhibit elephants, tigers or lions, although dolphin shows at water parks are not affected.
The law aims to guarantee animal welfare and protection, and to establish a common legal framework throughout Spain in particular to reduce the number of abandoned animals¹. People responsible for domestic animals who do not comply with identification obligations, use violent methods in their pet training, administer substances that may harm the animal (unless directed to do so by a vet) and mutilate or carry out unauthorised bodily modifications (ear clipping or tail docking) to the animal will be subject to the weight of the law. Fines for violations will range from €500 to €200,000, depending on the severity of the offence¹.
I hope this helps!
Source: Conversation with Bing, 18/11/2023
(1) EXPLAINER: Spain's new animal welfare laws come into force in September .... https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/...september/.
(2) Spain approves new law recognizing animals as ‘sentient beings’. https://english.elpais.com/society/2021-...eings.html.
(3) New Spanish law strengthens animal rights but exempts bullfights. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wir...-103590672.
(4) New Law on Animal Welfare - Citizens Advice Bureau Spain. https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/new-la...l-welfare/.
- Dog owners will have to make sure their pets have third party liability insurance.
- Cats will have to be sterilized before six months unless registered for breeding.
- There will be a ban on keeping pets permanently on balconies and terraces.
- Pets must be identified with a microchip.
- Regularly keeping dogs and cats in outside spaces, storage rooms, basements or vehicles is prohibited.
- The commercial breeding of pets, whose individual identification will be compulsory under new regulations, will not be permitted unless the person responsible is registered on an official list of pet breeders.
- Circuses will no longer be allowed to keep/exhibit elephants, tigers or lions, although dolphin shows at water parks are not affected.
The law aims to guarantee animal welfare and protection, and to establish a common legal framework throughout Spain in particular to reduce the number of abandoned animals¹. People responsible for domestic animals who do not comply with identification obligations, use violent methods in their pet training, administer substances that may harm the animal (unless directed to do so by a vet) and mutilate or carry out unauthorised bodily modifications (ear clipping or tail docking) to the animal will be subject to the weight of the law. Fines for violations will range from €500 to €200,000, depending on the severity of the offence¹.
I hope this helps!
Source: Conversation with Bing, 18/11/2023
(1) EXPLAINER: Spain's new animal welfare laws come into force in September .... https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/...september/.
(2) Spain approves new law recognizing animals as ‘sentient beings’. https://english.elpais.com/society/2021-...eings.html.
(3) New Spanish law strengthens animal rights but exempts bullfights. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wir...-103590672.
(4) New Law on Animal Welfare - Citizens Advice Bureau Spain. https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/new-la...l-welfare/.