On September 29, the new law for the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare enters into force, which becomes national and not, as it had been until now, autonomous. This law brings novelties that guardians – as they will have to be called from now on – of dogs must take into account, regardless of the type of animal they have; non-hazardous, potentially dangerous (PPP) or surveillance and guard company.
Likewise, the most outstanding novelty is that all guardians of dogs, whatever the breed, will be obliged to take out “civil liability insurance for damages to third parties throughout the life of the animal”, as stated in the Official State Gazette (BOE). Until now, only those who had PPP breed dogs were required to go through this procedure. However, from now on, whatever the breed, all dogs must be insured.
In companies such as Europea Seguros, different alternatives are already being considered regarding the contracting of these insurances. This firm is studying the possibility of introducing them into the guardian’s own death insurance, including the veterinarian, the social responsibility insurance and the cremation of the animal. The insurer clarifies that the price may vary depending on the type of dog you want to insure, its breed, sex and age.
In addition, with the entry into force of this law, it will also be mandatory, for those who want to have a dog, to take a course “with the aim of facilitating proper responsible ownership of the animal, often conditioned by the lack of knowledge in handling , care and possession of animals”, as explained in the BOE statement, which also clarifies that this course must be accredited, will be valid indefinitely, will be free and its content will be determined in a regulation.
The law promotes the adoption and fostering of dogs, in addition to the responsible sale of animals. And it prohibits the breeding of pets for sale by individuals. This activity “can only be carried out by people duly registered in the Registry of Companion Animal Breeders.”
In this way, those who wish to carry out a non-commercial breeding activity, such as punctual breeding or others that are carried out according to regulations, “must necessarily register the animals as breeders in the Companion Animal Registry”. With this registration, the owner will be registered in the Companion Animal Breeders Register in the corresponding category.
As for the rest of the species, the Law for the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare provides that community cats (that is, those that live in human environments, but are not adoptable due to their lack of socialization) “are identified with a microchip and surgically sterilized. In addition, it is prohibited “the sale of dogs, cats and ferrets in pet shops, and their display and exposure to the public for commercial purposes.” Only registered breeders will be able to sell them.
The only animals that can be displayed in stores will be fish. These, along with rodents and birds, will be the only ones that can be sold, as long as it is proven that they come from accredited breeders.
