New Animal Welfare Law: Liability insurance and mandatory course

The New Animal Welfare Law This legislation marks a milestone in animal protection and care. This legislation, which recently came into force, introduces important changes and regulations to ensure the well-being of our furry friends.

Here we explore the highlights of the law, including the requirement to purchase liability insurance, the requirement to complete a mandatory course, and new fines or penalties for animal abuse.

Obligation to Take Out Civil Liability Insurance

One of the most important measures of the new law is the obligation of pet owners, especially dogs, to take out civil liability insuranceThis is primarily intended to protect third parties in the event that a pet causes harm to people, animals, or property.

It is essential for:

• Damage Coverage: The insurance must cover possible damages caused by the pet to third parties.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with this obligation may result in legal sanctions and significant fines.

Completion of a Mandatory Course on Animal Welfare

The law also provides for the implementation of a mandatory course on animal welfare for pet owners. The course focuses on educating owners on how to properly care for their animals and promote animal welfare.

Includes:

• Educational Content: The course covers topics such as nutrition, health care, environmental enrichment, and animal behavior.
• Mandatory Certification: Successful completion of the course is mandatory, and a certificate is issued as proof of completion.

New Fines and Penalties for Animal Abuse

The law establishes harsher penalties for animal abuse, including substantial fines and the possibility of being banned from owning pets. These penalties are intended to discourage animal abuse and neglect.

If the violation is mild the fine may arrive up to €10,000. For violations serious or very serious The fines will be €50,000 and €200,000 respectively. In the event that the actions entail the death of the animal, the penalty is up to two years in prisonIf there are further aggravating factors, the sentence can be up to 3 years.

Other considerations

The law also regulates the ownership of exotic animals, a maximum number of animals per household (5. If you want to exceed this limit, you must notify the city council to carry out an animal welfare report), and a maximum number of hours (24) that can be kept. leaving a dog unattended (48 in case of other animals).