The Congress of Deputies approved last week the project of the Animal Welfare Law.
In the process sent to the Senate, the new regulation imposes a series of rules for pet owners. In addition, a new legislation for the commercialization of domestic animals.
Currently in Spain more than 13 million pets are registered in the Spanish Network for the Identification of Companion Animals (REIAC). In the particular case of dogs and cats, there is more animal population in Spanish homes than children over 14 years of age.
As of the approval of the new Animal Welfare Law, the sale and display in shop windows of dogs, cats and ferrets will be prohibited. Only professionals who can prove they are registered in the Official Register of Companion Animal Breeders with centers specially equipped for this activity will be able to manage their sale.
On the other hand, the legal text excludes the current concept of “dangerous breed dogs” and all dog owners must have civil liability insurance for damages to third parties. The policy must also include in its coverage the people responsible for the animal.
In article 30 of the Animal Welfare Law, it sets out the following measures that will affect new dog owners:
1. People who choose to own dogs must prove that they have completed a training course for dog ownership, which will be valid indefinitely.
2. Said training course will be free and its content will be determined by regulation.
3. The holders together with their dogs must also take a test in which their aptitude to function in the social sphere is assessed.
On the other hand, and according to the Animal Protection Law, “the people responsible for animal protection entities and those who, upon the entry into force of this law, carry out training activities or behavior modification in dogs, must , where appropriate, approve or acquire the qualifications required to carry out these activities within a period of twenty-four months from the regulatory development provided for in article 35.2 or from the approval of the required qualification.
This formation of the new Social Welfare law is only necessary to be accredited by professionals in the sector, but it will not be mandatory for current pet owners.
In accordance with the norm, anyone who leaves a pet animal unsupervised for more than three consecutive days will also be punished.
In the specific case of dogs, this period may not exceed 24 hours.
In the case of shepherd dogs, the regime will be more flexible since it is understood that they live in spaces where they can go outside. However, they will have to have a geolocation device and have booths to protect themselves.
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