As the charitable project 'Gazeta.ru' PETS writes, Portugal has been moving toward adopting a ban on killing stray dogs and cats for several years. In this warm country, stray dogs and cats consider any alleyway their home. And local residents simply feed them. Nevertheless, in Portugal, according to the political party PAN (Party for the Protection of Animals), about 100,000 dogs and cats are killed per year. It is easier for local authorities to control the population of street packs this way.
As early as 2010, a campaign by the animal protection association ANIMAL started online, collecting signatures for a new animal law. By October 2012, 45,000 signatures had been collected and sent to parliament. The bill was proposed at the end of last year by the Social Democratic Party. Over six months, it was reviewed and adopted.
As stated by Social Democratic Party MP Cristovão Norte, the changes open 'a new concept of civilization'. He added that the law 'makes history in the matter of animal protection in Portugal'.
The basis of the changes is the introduction of a ban on killing as a way to control the number of stray animals. All dogs and cats that roam freely on the streets will be caught and placed in municipal shelters for 15 days. If owners do not come forward, the animals will be sterilized, and then the process of finding new owners will be initiated. Euthanasia will be possible only in case of serious illness of the animal, or if its behavior is dangerous to people. All official shelters will be required to publish annual reports indicating the number of animals admitted, rehomed, and euthanized.
The Portuguese Criminal Code will include penalties for violators – from high fines to imprisonment. If an animal has been caused suffering, the perpetrator may be sent to prison for up to 6 months. And if the animal lost a paw, an eye, or died, the animal abuser faces two years of imprisonment. These same rules apply to domestic animals, as well as those used in the entertainment industry, such as in circuses.
Parliamentarians also introduced a two-year transition period, after which the law will come into full force. And within the next year, the authorities need to find effective ways to launch the sterilization of animals.
However, not everyone is happy with the innovation. For example, the Portuguese Communist Party criticizes the law. Its representative Miguel Tiago said that the Communists were open to discussion on such issues as euthanasia, conditions of animal keeping, including in zoos, but they categorically disagree with the introduction of criminal punishment.
City mayors are worried about the financial side of the issue, reports The Portugal News. The mayor of Braga, Ricardo Rio, believes that 'the ban on killing animals is correct, but it is difficult to implement.' The mayor of Aveiro, Ribau Esteves, added that it is necessary to build more new shelters, and this will inevitably burden the budget: the longer an animal stays in a shelter, the more money is required. This position was supported by the mayor of Santo Tirso, Joaquim Couto, who said he would like to know where to find funds to carry out this noble mission.
The municipal veterinary doctor of Obidos, João Almeida, explained to the publication Gazeta das Caldas that their kennel can accommodate only 18 stray dogs. And they can take a new dog only when one of their animals finds an owner. Currently, the staff of this shelter are developing a basic training program for dogs to train and socialize them.
Private shelters, which also exist in Portugal, support the adopted law and expect positive changes. In particular, they support another innovation: now the state undertakes to launch an annual campaign against abandoning pets on the street. Volunteers and animal rights activists will help with this.
In other EU countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands, the ban on killing stray animals has been in place for a long time. There, animal care is handled by private shelters that operate as charitable foundations. In addition, these countries have strict legislation, under which an owner who throws a dog out on the street is punished with a fine. And citizens who take a pet home are required to register it and put a tattoo or chip. It is worth noting that this year the United Kingdom introduced universal chipping of all dogs.