On September 29, Law 7/2023 on the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare, popularly known as the Animal Welfare Law, came into force. Its mission is to put a stop to animal abuse and abandonment in our country and, to this end, it introduces notable changes and regulations regarding pet ownership. However, the legal text does not apply to certain types of animals.
Specifically, hunting dogs and working animals are excluded. Within the latter, farm dogs are included, animals used in specific activities (sports, falconry birds, shepherd and livestock guard dogs), dogs used in professional activities (rescue dogs, companion animals used in assisted interventions or animals of the Security Forces and Corps or the Armed Forces).
Also other species used in agricultural, tourist or transportation environments (such as horses, mules, oxen, cows and recreational animals that are not wild). Taking into account these considerations, many have a question about how the Animal Welfare Law affects working animals.
It should be noted that neither the breed nor the size of the animal will serve to determine whether or not they are working dogs, but rather they will be considered as such depending on what they do. Thus, owners of work animals are exempt from the most notable obligations of the Animal Welfare Law.
To begin with, they will not have to take the mandatory course that will be imposed for the rest of pet owners. The Animal Welfare Law establishes limitations on the time a pet can be left alone without supervision – 24 hours in the case of dogs – but these limits do not apply to dogs and other working animals. Although it is necessary that they be properly identified, by microchip in the case of dogs or cats or other relevant methods for other species. In addition, it is necessary that the animal, whether hunting or working, has shelter where it can take shelter.
In addition, they will not be prohibited from imposing methods that prevent their free mobility, such as having them tied with a chain. In this regard, another issue that will be allowed to them is to apply the training methods they consider appropriate, even harmful methodologies, such as spike collars. However, this is prohibited for owners of other household pets.
