Animal Rights In Valencia: A New Hope

Animal rights in Valencia have been reinforced with new legislation being approved to grant greater protection. Daniel Hazelhoff reports…

Animal rights in Valencia got a huge boost recently. Valencia is home to many animal rescue centres, a noble endeavour indeed. However, there is a necessity for such centres. The rampant abandonment of household animals is rife within the Community of Valencia.

New legislation aims to improve the state of animal welfare within Valencia, and progress is evident. The proposal of the new law has been in the works since 2015, by the Observatorio Justicia y Defensa Animal (observatory on justice and animal defence).  

And 5 January 2022 will see this new legislation come into full force. It is to give animals a new legal definition and social standing. The name of the new law is La Nueva Ley Del Bienestar Animal (the new law on animal wellbeing). This new law guarantees animal wellbeing by requiring owners to comply with new regulations.

No longer may individuals simply buy a pet. There will be new restrictions on ownership and criteria one must meet in order to be a dog owner. Owners guilty of the abuse and neglect of domesticated animals will be penalised under the law. The legislation will also affect the sale of animals.

Obligatory new animal ownership courses

Dog owners will have to go through a new course in dog ownership, in order to be eligible for the role.  

The new law will include a series of new prohibitions. These will ensure responsible animal ownership.   

The course will be online, and free, but will be obligatory for all would-be dog owners. Dog owners will also need to take out liability insurance for their pets, and under no circumstance may leave the dog alone for more than 24 hours. 

Though the course is short, it’s an important step forward to ensure responsible animal care. The hope is that a deeper understanding of animal management will lead to a safer environment for both animals and their caretakers.

New law will outlaw sacrifice and euthanasia

The same legislation wishes to outlaw and reduce animal sacrifice and euthanasia of domesticated animals. As previously reported on Valencia Life, people abandon around 300,000 animals each year. With euthanasia the unfortunate solution for many of them. Now only if circumstances meet veterinary criteria, may such a death go forward. Strict rules will include the purpose of avoiding suffering and cases of incurable disease or injury. Other criteria include health and safety factors to protect the public or the animals themselves. Public health and the environment might also create exemptions. 

Previously cited reasons such as overpopulation, economic reasons, such as poverty and affordability or behavioural problems that can be rectified through training will become illegal. 

Animal abuse, through direct beating, neglect, or psychological abuse will remain explicitly illegal, as well as animal abandonment. This includes aesthetic mutilations and corporal modifications. This extends to animal entertainment events such as fairs, the circus or any entertainment expo of animals that deems to run against animals’ natural rights for wellbeing. 

Beggars can’t be users

For now, bullfighting and similar events appear to remain untouched by the law. 

Begging with animals will also become illegal. However, it is unclear whether or not the homeless can continue to have animal companions. It seems to be that the new law will prohibit the use of animals to solicit donations. Animal labour laws will come into play as well. Excessive work for animals will be considered abuse or neglect, and restricted through the law. 

Choke collars and electrical shock accessories will also become illegal under this law. This is part of an attempt to reduce cruelty as well as to create a more conscientious environment for owners, meaning the correct rearing of pets. 

Not only will this law prohibit the sale of pets in stores, it will also regulate the transfer of ownership more strictly regulated. It will only allow licensed breeders to breed and sell. One can still adopt animals from an Animal Protection Entity. However, it will block intermediaries, or third-party members, from participating in the transfer of animals. Such philanthropic – or rather, animal-loving – entities must work free of charge, and all animals must be identifiable. 

This legislation presents a positive step forward for animal rights within the domestic realm, observers say. With more responsibility put onto owners, and animal rights increasing, Valencia is becoming ever more animal-friendly.