Law 50/99 on potentially dangerous animals considers that dogs constitute a danger depending on the breed to which they belong, and without taking into account the behavior of the animal, an unfair and prejudiced classification that does not take into account the individual characteristics of the dog. and the environment in which he has been raised and educated.
For this reason, the Government plans to present a draft law in May to modify this rule, which also provides that dogs that require “particular handling” be educated with behavior improvement techniques to prevent them from being dangerous, and will institute a mechanism to validate the behavior of each specimen.
The bill provides that dogs that require “particular management” be educated with behavior improvement techniques to prevent them from being dangerous
The breeds of dogs that current regulations consider dangerous are:
Within the framework of the celebration of the ‘I Political Day’ organized by the Royal Spanish Canine Society, this body has taken the opportunity to request a new Law that makes dog identification universal, that children and young people be educated to promote respect and empathy towards animals, as well as the protection of native breeds and recognition of the work of ethical and responsible breeders.
Measures to guarantee animal welfare
During said day, the General Director of Animal Rights of the Government, Sergio García Torres, explained the modifications of the Animal Welfare Law that the Executive is preparing, and that intends to homogenize the 17 regional regulations in a common general framework and include a ‘ Animal Protection Records System’ (SRPA), with a record of animal welfare centers to guarantee the professionalism of the abandoned animal collection sector or animal protection entities.
The Civil Code will be modified to recognize that animals are sentient beings, in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty
A National Registry of Canine Behavior and Education Professionals will also be created in collaboration with the Ministries of Labor and Education, to establish a training framework that allows professionals to join it in a regulated manner and that pet owners have the possibility access to professionals with ‘guarantee’.
Other important developments that will help improve the welfare of pets will be the obligation to identify them within the first three months of life and before selling them to control breeding, and the implementation of a National Registry of Disqualification for Ownership of Companion Animals that will include people who have been convicted of animal abuse, which will prevent them from registering an animal in their name.
Recognize that animals are sentient beings
The bill also foresees that the Civil Code be modified so that it recognizes that animals are sentient beings, in accordance with the Treaty of Lisbon, and another modification of the Penal Code that revises upwards the penalties for crimes of animal abuse, since currently the maximum sentence is 18 months.
García Torres has also stated that they are considering a draft law for assistance dogs to homogenize the criteria in this regard and, specifically, to equalize their access in public spaces, and has defended the need to move towards zero abandonment and zero sacrifice.
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