The anticipated enforcement of compulsory pet dog insurance, a key provision within Spain’s newly established animal welfare law, has been postponed from its initial target date of 29th September. This delay comes as a response to the evolving political landscape in Spain.
The Directorate General for Animal Rights, a division operating under the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2023, has issued a directive confirming that the obligatory civil liability insurance for pet dogs will be deferred until a comprehensive regulatory framework is endorsed to accompany the law. This insurance policy is designed to cover potential damages caused by canines to third parties, encompassing property, other animals, or individuals. Once enacted, it will apply to the owners of an estimated nine million pet dogs in Spain, according to data from the Afaac association.
The new animal welfare legislation is designed to advance the cause of animal protection and curtail instances of abandonment. Among its provisions is the mandate for liability insurance for all pet breeds, a requirement previously limited to breeds categorised as potentially dangerous and applicable only in specific regions.
Additionally, the new regulation calls for dog handlers of certain breeds to undergo a “responsible ownership” course.
Championed by the Minister for Social Rights, Ione Belarra, the law received approval in March from the Congress of Deputies. It also stipulates stringent conditions for animal euthanasia, reserving it for highly specific situations aimed at preventing undue suffering. The law further introduces oversight in animal breeding practices and fosters responsible adoption.
Notably, hunting dogs will not be subject to the provisions of the new regulations. The deferment of pet dog insurance implementation reflects a conscientious approach to ensure that the law is effectively enacted and aligned with broader animal welfare objectives in Spain.