How will the Animal Welfare Law affect pet owners?

The use of animals in circuses, nativity scenes or processions is prohibited and the conversion of zoos is forced

   MADRID, 16 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Animal Welfare Law, definitively approved this Thursday by the Congress of Deputies, affects all companion and wild animals in captivity, except hunting, guard and work dogs that were excluded from the norm by an amendment presented by the PSOE and which obtained the support of the PP, VOX, CS, CC and PNV.

The text prohibits the sale of animals in stores, the use of animals in circuses and nativity scenes, their exhibition in zoos and new obligations, among which is the completion of a training course that certifies the aptitude for dueling or the implementation of a new system of records of animals and breeders.

In any case, vertebrates must live in "dignified" conditions that guarantee their well-being, rights and healthy development and, specifically, those that live in cages, aquariums or terrariums must have adequate space. However, the law establishes that the conditions for each species will be developed according to regulations.

When educating or handling the animal, methods that cause suffering, anxiety or fear may not be used and it is prohibited to leave them inside closed vehicles, exposed to thermal conditions or of any other nature that may endanger their lives and each animal. You will have to pass a periodic veterinary examination that will have to be registered.

In addition, each animal will have to be permanently located and identified and in case of loss or theft, the authorities must be notified within a maximum of 48 hours, since no animal will be left unattended for a maximum of three days, something that in the case of dogs may not exceed 24 consecutive hours.

The new rule holds the owner responsible for damages, losses or inconveniences that they may cause to people, other animals or things, public spaces or the natural environment and establishes a system of sanctions.

After the entry into force of the law, within six months, any type of abandonment and mistreatment, aggression or negligence that causes animals suffering, physical or psychological harm or death will be prohibited; leaving animals loose especially in National Parks, ravines where flocks or animals graze or other protected natural spaces where they can cause damage to people, livestock or the natural environment.

In the same way, it is prohibited to use animals in public shows, in tourist or advertising artistic activities, which cause them anguish, pain or suffering, although bullfighting shows are excluded.

Mechanical attractions or fairground carousels and the use of wild animals in circuses are also eliminated "in any case", as well as using them on an itinerant basis or begging using them, except for the homeless, who may be accompanied of their animals.

Nor can animals be fed with viscera, corpses and other offal from animals that have not passed the appropriate sanitary controls, nor can animals be used as a claim, reward, prize, raffle, advertising promotion.

It is also prohibited to fight dogs or their training or instigation of them to attack other animals or people.

In the same way, the sacrifice of animals is expressly prohibited in any circumstance, for example, old age, illness, not finding an adopter or for economic reasons, except under justified euthanasia and controlled by a veterinarian only in the case of preventing the animal from suffering due to non-recoverable causes that compromise their quality of life. Nor may any type of mutilation or permanent body modification be practiced on them.

Likewise, no vertebrate animal may be tied up or wander unsupervised, nor may dogs and

cats on terraces, balconies, rooftops, storage rooms, basements, patios and similar or vehicles, nor take animals tied to moving motor vehicles.

Genetic selection that entails serious alterations in the health of the animal is also eliminated, as is the commercial breeding of any species of animal by breeders who are not registered in the Companion Animal Breeders Registry, which is also newly created, as well nor can dogs, cats and ferrets be sold in public or exhibited in shop windows. In the same way, the sale on the Internet of any type of animal is prohibited.

Nor may animals participate in nativity scenes, parades or processions in which the animal is kept in a way that is incompatible with its well-being, nor may they participate in pilgrimages and fairs when there is excessive heat.

Once the rule comes into force, pets will be able to access means of transport, establishments and public spaces, in public and private establishments, hotel accommodation, restaurants and bars. Likewise, they will have access to public buildings and dependencies and to shelters, shelters, care centers for the care of people at risk of social exclusion, homeless people or victims of gender violence.

Another novelty of this law is the fact that in order to have a dog, a training course must be taken, which is valid indefinitely and throughout the life of the animal, its owner must have civil liability insurance for damage to property in force. third parties.

On the other hand, a List of wild species that can be kept as pets will be created; a State Council for Animal Protection, which will be a new consultative body of the Ministry in which the autonomous communities, the FEMP and sectoral organizations will participate, which will be advised by an --also new-- Scientific and Technical Committee.

Along these lines, the Animal Protection Statistics is created and a State Animal Protection Plan and territorial plans will have to be drawn up, which must include measures aimed at eliminating animal abuse and reducing abandonment.

On the other hand, the City Councils will be obliged to collect lost and abandoned animals for 24 hours and house them in their own animal protection center or through agreements with private entities. Public animal protection centers will be obliged to sterilize dogs, cats and ferrets that arrive at these centers.

Lastly, before the end of this year, within three months of the entry into force of the regulation, the Government must present a draft Law on great apes.