The draft law on the Protection and Rights of Animals ( Animal Law ) has just been approved, which has as a key element prohibited from selling animals in stores. But there are also different peculiarities that directly affect pet owners.
According to EFE, the sanctioning regime of the Animal Law can reach up to 600,000 euros for very serious infractions, it also provides accessory measures for non-compliance that can lead to the confiscation of the animal and its delivery to a protection entity.
Formative courses
In addition, this law includes the requirement that pet owners “pass a training course” that facilitates “responsible animal ownership” and that they subscribe to civil liability insurance.
This is to enable the owner to develop basic knowledge “in the handling, care and keeping of animals.”
Prohibition of slaughtering companion animals
It is another of the important issues of the Animal Law, since it is forbidden to sacrifice pets. There are some exceptions such as always doing it for health or euthanasia reasons.
They cannot be in exhibitions and horseback riding
Furthermore, animals cannot be included in nativity scenes, parades or processions “where the animal is kept in an unnatural way.”
You cannot leave your pet at home for more than three days
This is a fact that will create some controversy, because not all companion animals are the same. This rule introduces that no more than three days can be left in which any companion animal can be left unsupervised. Furthermore, in the case of dogs, this period may not exceed twenty-four consecutive hours.
It is forbidden to sell animals in stores
Unlike what happened years ago, now (this has been in force for a long time) the sale of species in pet shops is prohibited, as well as their exhibition and exposure to the public for commercial purposes. There is an exception, the fish that can be bought in certain animal establishments.
What are the penalties for not complying with the rules
According to EFE; in minor offenses, the fines will range between 600 and 30,000 euros; in the serious, between 30,001 and 100,000 euros, and in the very serious, 100,001 and 600,000 euros.
In addition, additional sanctions are provided for the possibility of disabling the owner from keeping animals “for a maximum period of five years for serious offenses and five to ten years for very serious offenses.”
Now it is expected that all this can go to a joint approval and that the owners and pet shops will adapt to such measures.
