The keys to the Animal Welfare law: up to 50,000 euros for abandonment and end of the puppies in the showcase

The most controversial aspect of the Law for the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare approved this Thursday in Congress, and whose processing will now continue in the Senate, has undoubtedly been its exclusion of fruit hunting dogs.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
13 February 2023 Monday 18:59
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The keys to the Animal Welfare law: up to 50,000 euros for abandonment and end of the puppies in the showcase

The most controversial aspect of the Law for the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare approved this Thursday in Congress, and whose processing will now continue in the Senate, has undoubtedly been its exclusion of fruit hunting dogs. of a PSOE amendment, approved with the PP and Vox, which stirred up Unidas Podemos, a party that has promoted the norm from the Ministry of Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda led by Ione Belara. The law seeks in general terms to put an end to the sacrifices, mistreatment and abandonment of vertebrate animals.

In addition to hunting dogs, "animals used in specific activities (sports recognized by the Higher Sports Council, falconry birds, shepherd dogs and livestock guard dogs)" are also excluded from the norm. Animals used for bullfighting are not covered either, as they are considered an intangible asset and cultural heritage. Nor do animals used "in professional activities (dedicated to a specific activity or task carried out jointly with its manager in a professional or work environment, such as rescue dogs, companion animals used in assisted interventions or animals of the Forces and Corps of Security or the Armed Forces)”. Animals for research and experimentation are also excluded.

It will be penalized as a serious offense, which will entail a fine that will range between 10,001 and 50,000 euros, the fact of "not picking up the animal from residences or other similar establishments", as well as "abandoning the animal in risky conditions".

People who have an animal must "have adequate spaces in terms of size, naturalization and environmental enrichment" and may not be left "alone inside closed vehicles, exposed to thermal conditions or of any other nature that could put their lives in danger." They should be provided with "the necessary health care to guarantee their health." Pet animals may not be left unsupervised for more than three consecutive days and, in the case of dogs, they may not be left unattended for a period "exceeding twenty-four consecutive hours".

It will not be allowed to mistreat animals or "use them in public shows or tourist or advertising artistic activities, which cause them anguish, pain or suffering". Neither can they be used to "exercise begging" or use them as "advertising claim". Their participation in fights (roosters) is also prohibited.

The rule prohibits the slaughter of animals "except for reasons of safety of people or animals or for the existence of a risk to public health duly justified by the competent authority." "Slaughter in animal protection centers is expressly prohibited, since whether public or private, veterinary clinics and zoos in general for economic reasons, overcrowding, lack of places, impossibility of finding an adopter within a certain period”.

Euthanasia will only be justified under veterinary criteria and control with the sole purpose of avoiding suffering due to non-recoverable causes that seriously compromise the quality of life of the animal in an accredited and certified manner by a collegiate veterinary professional.

Pet stores will no longer be able to sell dogs, cats or ferrets. These establishments will be prohibited from exhibiting them, exposing them for commercial purposes and proceeding to their sale. They will only be able to sell birds, rodents and fish that will continue in the exhibitors.

The activity of breeding pets can only be carried out by people duly registered in the Register of Companion Animal Breeders.

Animals may not be used "in crib exhibitions, parades or processions, in which the animal is kept in a way that is incompatible with its well-being, given the characteristics of its species, or immobilized for the duration of the event." Their participation in pilgrimages and holiday events is also regulated, which will be prohibited if temperatures are high and if firecrackers or fireworks are to be used.

Very serious offenses sanctioned with between 50,001 euros and 200,000 euros are considered when the breach of the law causes the death of the animal, as long as it does not constitute a crime, as well as the unauthorized slaughter of animals, euthanasia with inadequate means or by personal unqualified, the training and use of animals for fighting, the use of companion animals for human consumption, killing community cats outside of authorized cases, the breeding, trade or exhibition of animals for commercial purposes by unauthorized persons or the sale of dogs, cats and ferrets in pet shops, the use of animals in prohibited activities, the use of genetic selection of companion animals that is detrimental to their health and the commission of more than one serious offense in the term of three years.

The law stipulates the creation of a list of animals to regulate which can be companions and live with humans in private homes. This is intended to limit trade in exotic species. It will be mandatory to identify pets and keep their vaccinations up to date.

It will be mandatory to sterilize all pets that live outside the interior of the homes. The reason is to try to reduce uncontrolled breeding.

Those people who, from the moment the law comes into force, choose to own dogs must prove that they have completed a training course, which will be valid indefinitely, will be free and online.