2023-09-01 16:51:59
September begins and with this month an important legislative change that affects pet owners. On March 28, the new Animal Welfare Law was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), which aims to promote protection and prevent animal abandonment in our country. The regulation, which will come into effect on September 29, extends liability insurance for potentially dangerous dogs (PPP) to all types of breeds.
This policy is intended to protect the owner of the pet in the event of a bite, accident or damage to property belonging to others. Apart from this, the owner may add more coverage to his insurance. For example, damage to the animal in the event of an accident, veterinary assistance, stay in a canine residence due to hospitalization or in the event of the loss or death of the dog, among others.
This is established in Article 30.3 of the regulation: «The holder must take out and keep in force a civil liability insurance for damages to third parties, for an amount or quantity sufficient to cover the possible derived expenses». Until now, it was optional to have this, unlike other autonomous communities where it was necessary as in Madrid or the Basque Country.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the civil liability policy will change depending on the insurance company. In the case of dangerous breeds, coverage previously depended on the municipalities. However, the most common are usually around between 60 and 100 euros per year, with civil liability between approximately 150,000 and 185,000 euros.
The price of the insurance will also depend on other factors such as the breed, weight or age of the dog. In addition, other animals such as cats, exotic birds or turtles, among others, may be insured. In case of not complying with the mandatory insurance, the owners may face fines ranging between 500 and 10,000 euros in the most serious cases.
other changes
The reform of Organic Law 10/1995, of November 23, of the Penal Code, regarding animal abuse, introduces a series of relevant changes for pet owners. First of all, it should be noted that those who wish to have a dog as a pet must take a mandatory course to be able to have it, which consists of a simple test on animal care.
On the other hand, the Animal Welfare Law prohibits the sale of puppies in pet shops; requires the sterilization of dogs if the animal has been adopted in a society for the protection of animals; establishes a punishment for owners who leave a companion animal unsupervised for more than three days in a row and advises adoption before purchase, among others.
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