Spain: New law on animal protection

On 9 February 2023, the Spanish Congress passed a new animal welfare law (Ley de Bienestar Animal). The draft law increases the fines for animal welfare offenses to 200,000 euros and introduces a prison sentence of up to two years. The law expands the protection of pets and captive wildlife. For example, it prohibits the sale of cats, dogs, and ferrets in pet shops and requires that cats be neutered and microchipped before they reach six months of age. Additionally, the law includes training courses for dog owners. However, the proposed legislation has faced criticism. One of the most controversial aspects is the exclusion of "hunting dogs" from the law. The abandonment of thousands of greyhounds at the end of each hunting season is still a reality in Spain and a major animal welfare issue. The bill still needs to be finally approved by the Senate before it can come into effect.