Spain Passes Tough Law On Animal Welfare, Three-Year Term For Those Mistreating Pets

Madrid, March 17 (TNA) Lawmakers in Spain on Thursday passed a law on animal welfare while also speaks of a reform of the penal code which enhances prison terms for those mistreating animals. "It is a very important day because Parliament has definitively approved the first law on animal rights (since the restoration) of our democracy," Ione Belarra, Minister of Social Rights and leader of the radical left Podemos party, was quoted as saying in media reports.

The law "will put an end to the impunity of people mistreating animals" and it represents a "progress which corresponds to the sensitivity of our fellow citizens who want, for the most part, to protect" animals, she further added. The enw law mandates compulsory training for dog owners, which also prohibits from pet owners leaving them alone for more than 24-hours.

Sterilisation of cats, except on farms, has also been made compulsory by the new Bill moved by the lawmakers. A sentence of two years has been prescribed if the animal dies, or even three in the event of aggravating circumstances.