New Animal Welfare Law: Liability insurance and mandatory course

The new Animal Welfare Act 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, mandatory course completion, 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 for pet owners, especially dogs, to purchase liability insurance . This 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: Insurance must cover possible damage caused by the pet to third parties.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with this obligation may result in significant legal penalties and fines.

Completion of a Mandatory Course on Animal Welfare

The law also requires pet owners to take a mandatory animal welfare course . The course focuses on educating owners on how to properly care for their animals and promote animal welfare.

Includes:

• Educational Content: The course addresses 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 offense is minor, the fine can reach up to €10,000 . For serious and very serious offenses, the fines are €50,000 and €200,000 , respectively. If the offense results in the death of the animal, the penalty is up to two years in prison . If there are more aggravating factors, the penalty can be up to three 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 so that it can carry out an animal welfare report), and a maximum number of hours (24) that a dog can be left unsupervised (48 in the case of other animals).