Spain’s animal rights bill targets zoos and pet shops but not bullfighting

MADRID, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Spain plans to ban the sale of animals in shops, change zoos into wildlife restoration centres and impose prison sentences for abusers as part of its very first animal-rights bill, which notably does not concentrate on bullfighting, for now.

The govt reported on Friday the draft law, which will face a community hearing, one more looking through in the cupboard and a parliamentary vote, would also prohibit wild animals in circuses and the killing of pets besides in conditions of euthanasia by veterinary surgeons.

“We are starting to shut the gap involving the popular feeling that seeks to secure the creatures that dwell with us and the law,” Social Rights Minister Ione Belarra mentioned, incorporating that Spaniards were getting far more sensitive in direction of the legal rights of animals each and every working day.

Under the proposed legislation, a pet operator whose animal requires remedy for abuse would face 18 months in jail and 24 months if it dies.

Stores will no extended be able to industry or screen pets, which will only be marketed by means of authorized breeders, while zoos and dolphinariums will be transformed into centres for the restoration of native species.

“(That way) youngsters can master about our community wildlife while rising up with the values of animal protection,” Belarra stated.

As a to start with move, zoos will be barred from acquiring or breeding non-indigenous species.

When their current exotic animals die they should be changed with native species unless of course the institution has a captive-breeding settlement in location to reintroduce animals to the wild.

The Affiliation of Iberian Zoos, which addresses 48 of the greatest zoos and aquariums in Spain and Portugal, stated he regretted that federal government officers did not seek the advice of the zoos though drafting the invoice.

“Zoos perform an essential position in the conservation of biodiversity, many animals like the condor of California would have disappeared with no the zoos,” said Javier Almunia, the association president, reported.

The reform does not consist of bullfighting, and the government claimed that traditional cornerstone of Spanish culture ought to be resolved individually.

“We considered that, regretably, this country demands a wider debate (on bullfighting) and this law was urgent and vital for all these animals and wild animals in captivity,” government animal rights head Sergio Torres explained to Reuters.

“This does not indicate that we will not do it in the potential,” he claimed.

Reporting by Emma Pinedo, Belen Carreño and Inti Landauro Modifying by Nathan Allen and Alison Williams

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