The requirement for dog owners to obtain civil liability insurance for their pets, mandated by Spain's new animal welfare law, will not come into effect on the originally scheduled date of September 29th, due to a delay by the Spanish Government.
The Directorate General for Animal Rights, a division of the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda has issued a circular announcing the postponement of the compulsory insurance for pet dogs until specific regulations are approved to further elaborate on the law.
This insurance coverage is designed to address damages that dogs may cause to third parties, whether it involves property damage, harm to another animal, or injury to a person.
Once implemented, this requirement will apply to the owners of the estimated nine million pet dogs residing in Spain, according to the AFAAC Association.
The main aim of Spain's new animal welfare law is to bolster protection for animals and prevent cases of abandonment. The law mandates civil liability insurance for all pet breeds, a significant shift from the previous requirement that applied only to breeds classified as potentially dangerous, and only in certain regions.
Furthermore, the new regulation introduces a requirement for "responsible ownership" courses for handlers of specific dog breeds.
This law, championed by the Minister for Social Rights, Ione Belarra, gained approval in the Congress of Deputies back in March. It includes strict guidelines for euthanizing animals, allowing such actions only under specific circumstances and solely to prevent animal suffering.
Additionally, the law imposes strict controls on animal breeding while promoting responsible adoption.
The Spanish government's decision to delay the implementation of the pet dog insurance requirement reflects its commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and comprehensive compliance with the new animal welfare measures.
