Animals no longer things but living creatures

Animals no longer things but living creatures

In line with new rules, all animals should now be defined as living creatures and not as things, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriela Matečná (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) stated on Monday, adding that the change will be brought in by an amendment to the law on veterinary care. The Agriculture Ministry will submit the amendment for interdepartmental review during the summer, and the law should take effect as of January 2018. An animal will be defined as a living creature in the Civil Code as well. "Slovakia will thus rank among the most developed countries in relation to its attitude towards animals," said Matečná, adding that animals will have special importance and value as living creatures that are able to perceive the world with their own senses. This change should improve the enforcement of animal rights if abuse takes place. The prepared amendment also deals with large-scale dog breeders. The ministry wants to create an effective system against illegal animal breeders and animal abuse and to put dog registration in order. "We want to introduce mandatory dog chipping so that owners can be immediately identified. Each puppy will have to be chipped within 12 weeks of birth. The original owner will also have to report a change of owner and provide data on the new owner," explained the minister. However, mandatory chipping also applies to currently owned dogs, whose owners will have until 2020 to meet this obligation.

Vets will have to register animals that have been chipped in the Central Pets Register within 24 hours. All movements and changes will be recorded there. If owners fail to register their dogs, they could receive penalties reaching up to €800 in the case of private individuals and up to €3,500 for corporate entities. The third field that the amendment deals with concerns stray animals and assistance to animal shelters. "Municipalities are currently obliged to take care of stray dogs and set up shelters. The amendment gives them the option of signing a contract with shelters that aren't located on their territory," said Matečná. The Opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party also attempted to amend so-called anti-puppy farming legislation at the beginning of the year, and this was even approved by Parliament with the support of part of the governing coalition in February. Nevertheless, President Andrej Kiska vetoed the bill despite the Agriculture Ministry's intervention, and the legislation later failed to garner sufficient support in Parliament to be reapproved.

Anca Dragu, Photo: TASR

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