These are the offenses and penalties provided for in the new regulations, with up to 18 months in prison
The new Animal Welfare Law It will mean a before and after in the regulation of the care of companion animals. Much has been said about this regulation, but few are those who know the fines they face for mistreating a pet. This is what the law provides in this matter:
Fines and jail terms under the new Animal Welfare Law
The range for fines will range from 500 to 10,000 euros in the case of minor offences, from 10,001 to 50,000 euros for serious ones, and from 50,001 to 200,000 euros for very serious ones.
In addition, actions that involve injury or death to an animal may be punished with jail sentenceswhich will range from 3 to 12 months if the animal does not die and 6 to 18 months if he does die.Criteria for determining the seriousness of an infringement
The criterion to determine the seriousness will be, as a general rule, if the offense committed has involved the suffering of an animal. Thus, those conducts that, by action or omission, cause harm to an animal or alter its behavior will be considered serious; If they also result in the death of the animal or permanent sequelae, they will be considered very serious.
Regarding minor offenseswill be considered as such the conducts that entail, by action or omission, the breach of the responsibilities linked to the possession of a pet by the people responsible for it, but that do not cause said animal injuries or alterations in its behavior. However, some administrative offenses will be considered serious, as detailed below.
Administrative infractions are considered to be those that, without harming the animal, imply a breach of legal obligations linked to its possession, such as identification.
Minor and serious offenses
This is a list of the offenses provided for in the new law.
will be minor offenses (from 500 to 10,000 euros fine):
- Allowing animals to wander through public spaces without the supervision of their caretaker, as well as leaving them tied up without supervision.
- Do not take out civil liability insurance for damages to third parties.
- Do not sterilize animals that have uncontrolled access to other animals: the clearest example is that domestic cats that are allowed to go outside must be sterilized.
- Leaving animals in conditions that could pose a danger to their health, such as inside closed vehicles, or exposed to dangerous weather conditions. It will also constitute an offense to leave them alone at home without supervision, for more than 24 hours in the case of dogs and more than 3 days in the case of cats.
On the contrary, they will be serious breaches the following legal breaches, even if they do not involve physical harm to the animal:
- Do not identify microchipped animals.
- Using animals as an advertising claim without authorization, as well as using them as prizes in contests, raffles or promotions.
- Raise and trade non-native wild animals.
- Not reporting the loss or theft of an animal within a maximum period of 48 hours (after this time it will be considered abandonment).
Harmful behaviors for animals
Those behaviors that cause harm or discomfort to animals In all cases, they will constitute a serious or very serious infringement.
will be considered Serious offenses (from 10,001 to 50,000 euros):
- Use of aggressive methods in animal education.
- Unauthorized mutilations or body modifications.
- Abandonment of animals, including not picking them up from residences, shelters or veterinary centers.
- Theft or misappropriation of animals.
- Administration of substances not prescribed by a veterinarian that harm the health of an animal or alter its behavior.
- Shipment of live animals, except in the cases provided by law.
- Withdrawal or relocation of community cats in situations other than those provided by law.
- Feed the animals with offal from animals that have not passed health controls.
- Permanently keep dogs or cats in confined spaces, whether outdoors (such as balconies) or indoors (such as basements).
will be considered very serious offenses (50,001 to 200,000 euros):
- Euthanasia of animals with inadequate means or by unqualified personnel.
- Training and use of animals for fighting.
- The use of companion animals for human consumption.
- Kill community cats outside the cases authorized by law.
- Breeding and sale of animals by unauthorized persons (a license will be required).
- Sale of dogs, cats and ferrets in pet shops.
- Use of animals in cultural and festive activities, such as carousels at fairs and circus shows.
Finally, the commission more than one serious offense within three years It will be considered as a very serious infraction.
It must be taken into account that, in addition, actions that involve injury or death to an animal may be punished with prison terms, which will range from 3 to 12 months if the animal does not die, and 6 to 18 months if you die.
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