Last Friday, September 29, the new Law on the Protection, Rights and Welfare of Animals, popularly known as the Animal Welfare Law, came into force in Spain, whose objective is to put an end to the abuse and abandonment of pets in our country. . However, it should be noted that it will be partially effective, since there are two regulations contemplated in the Law that are not yet mandatory: the dog ownership course and civil liability insurance.
This rule entails important new features, such as toughening penalties for mistreatment of a pet. Furthermore, it prohibits the slaughter of animals except for duly justified safety reasons. It also puts an end to animal circuses and regulates various aspects of the ownership, breeding and marketing of pets.
Given the many changes introduced in the legal text, as well as the controversies it has raised – such as the one relating to the exclusion of hunting dogs – the Animal Welfare Law brings with it many unknowns for pet owners. That is why the National Police has published a video on its social networks clearing up the main doubts related to the Law.
First of all, the Police point out that with the new Animal Welfare Law it is illegal to leave your dog tied at the door of the supermarket or any other establishment while you go in to do the shopping. “Leaving the dog tied or at the door of any establishment can result in a fine of up to 10,000 euros,” they state.
On the other hand, another relevant point is that it will not be allowed to leave an animal in the car unattended, even if it is for a short period of time or even if it is not very hot. “You cannot leave him locked inside a vehicle or in thermal conditions that endanger his life,” the Police assert.
Within the Animal Welfare Law, an important point is contemplated about the time that a dog can be left alone at home, regardless of whether it has enough water and food. This is what the Police clarifies: “Dogs cannot be left unsupervised for more than 24 consecutive hours. If it is another type of pet, this period increases to three days.”
Likewise, if your pet escapes or disappears, you must notify the authorities within 48 hours. You should know that you cannot keep your dog or cat permanently on the terrace, because “it is a serious infraction to keep them permanently in basements, terraces, patios or balconies. Finally, it is not allowed to use electric collars or any tool that could cause injury to the animal.
