The Council of Ministers gave the green light this Monday “in the second round” to the Animal Rights Actnorm that, among other issues, toughens penalties for animal abuse and proposes a zero slaughter policy, except for health reasons.
Driven by the Ministry of Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda, it aims to to end the abuse, abandonment and sacrifice of animals.
One of the biggest changes to this legislation, whose project was approved by the Council of Ministers on 18 February, is precisely to prevent the slaughter of pets, except health and euthanasia reasons.
A pioneering standard in Spain
In the presence of the Minister of Territorial Policy and Government Spokesperson, Elizabeth Rodriguesassured that the Government gave the green light to “a pioneering standard in our country”.
The minister highlighted the fact that “many autonomous communities and municipal councils have already carried out exercises in this regard”, and stated that “it is about laying the foundations for a common legal framework”.
Ultimately, according to Rodríguez, the Goals more important are “to put an end to mistreatment, also reformulating the Penal Code while its penalties, abandonment and sacrifice are so as to respond to a Spanish society that reports in one of every three homes with an animal with which they coexist and have their lives day by day”.
abuserswith impunity
This first Animal Rights Act “makes us more human” by ending “impunity” for abusers, with prison sentences and fines that can reach 200,000 euros, said the Minister of Social Rights and Agenda 2030, Ione Belarra: “The vast majority of our society cares, loves and respects animals and we want our country to have legislation to match”, she added.
In addition, regulations fight against abandonment requiring that all pets be identified and that breeding can only be done by registered breeders. This is a “very serious problem” in Spain, as “last year more than 285,000 dogs and cats arrived at the shelters”, the minister said.
are also prohibited circus with wild animals and the commercialization of dogs, cats and ferrets in pet shops, as well as their exhibition and exposure to the public for commercial purposes.
In turn, zoos and dolphins will be converted into species recovery centers native species, and the use of animals in activities and shows where they may suffer damage or death, such as cockfighting or pigeon shooting, will be prohibited.