These are the new obligations that it entails for pet owners, given that the rule excludes animals that do not belong to the urban environment and hunting dogs.
The controversial animal welfare law will come into force this Friday. However, since the Government, while in office, has not been able to approve the regulations that develop precepts such as the obligation to follow a course to have a pet or have an insurance policy, so it cannot will still come into force.
Beyond that, these are the new obligations what it entails for the owners of pets, since the rule leaves out animals that do not belong to the urban environment and hunting dogs. If they are not complied with, owners can be sanctioned with fines ranging from 500 to 200,000 euros.
Dogs cannot be left alone
The new law establishes that dogs cannot be left alone for more than 24 hours. And the rest of the pets cannot be left without supervision for more than three consecutive days. In addition, the rule prohibits leaving dogs and cats on “terraces, balconies, rooftops, storage rooms, basements, patios” or inside a vehicle.
It is prohibited to leave a dog at the door of a store
The law prohibits keeping animals “tied or roaming through public spaces without in-person supervision.” of his caregiver. For example, the dog can no longer be left tied to the door of a supermarket or store.
Mandatory course for owners
One of the obligations that has been put on standby is aimed at dog owners, who once the regulations accompanying the law are approved (when there is a new Government) must take a free online course on responsible ownership.
Liability insurance
Another of the precepts that will not come into force tomorrow because a regulation is necessary to regulate it is the need to take out civil liability insurance that covers possible material and personal damage that a dog may cause. The new Executive will give instructions on how it should be done and what amounts it should cover. Until now this insurance was only mandatory for dogs considered dangerous, a category that is maintained with the new law, although it was initially attempted to be eliminated.
Microchipping and sterilization of cats
What will come into force this Friday is the obligation to identify dogs, cats and ferrets with a microchip, to guarantee their control and safety. This way, if they are lost, they can be located and returned to their owners. Likewise, cats will have to be sterilized to avoid indiscriminate reproduction and possible subsequent abandonment.
Stores will not be able to sell dogs or cats
Pet establishments have a period of one year to stop selling dogs, cats and ferrets, which can only be purchased from authorized breeders. The objective is to avoid compulsive purchases that could later lead to the animals being abandoned, given that around 300,000 animals a year are left in ditches or animal shelters.
The sacrifice of pets is prohibited
In addition to avoiding abandonment, another objective of the standard is zero sacrifice. For this reason, the death of pets is prohibited in animal protection centers, which will no longer be able to sacrifice them due to lack of space or for economic reasons. Euthanasia will only be allowed under veterinary criteria.
What animals cannot be kept as pets?
Most domestic animals may continue to be pets (dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, parakeets, canaries, turtles), but dangerous or poisonous animals, wild mammals weighing more than five kilos and reptiles (except turtles) of more than two kilos such as snakes or iguanas. Nor may domestic animals be used in public shows or subjected to excessive work.