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Law No. 29 of 2023 regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals and Dogs.

Country
Type of law
Legislation
Source

Abstract
Comprising 27 articles divided into five chapters, and featuring two tables in the Appendix, this Law serves the purpose of governing the ownership and breeding of animals categorized as dangerous in Table No.1, which are capable of posing risks to both humans and other animals. However, it grants an exception to government entities, national zoos, and research institutes (art.2). The same article states that owners of dangerous animals must obtain from the competent authority the General Authority for Veterinary Services a license to possess, handle, or raise them. Article 3 prohibits taking any dangerous animals in public places. Under Article 4 the owner of dangerous animals is obligated to take the necessary precautions to ensure that they do not escape. The Law also requires owners of dangerous animals to give them all appropriate immunizations and veterinary care (art.5). The owner of a dangerous animal must immediately notify the General Authority for Veterinary Services in any of the following cases provided for by Article 6 (i) infection of the dangerous animal with an infectious or epidemic disease; (ii) the injury or death of a person as a result of an attack by a dangerous animal; (iii) the death or escape of the dangerous animal; (iv) the desire to transfer the ownership of the dangerous animal or abandon it, or the owner s inability to provide shelter and care for it.
Chapter III addresses regulations about dogs and outlines the following provisions: (i) ownership and acquisition of dogs require a license from the competent Directorate of Veterinary Medicine, as stated in Article 9; (ii) dogs must wear an identification tag bearing a registration number around their neck, per Article 11; (iii) dogs must be muzzled and restrained with an appropriate collar when outside their designated area or during walks, by Article 10; (iv) the caretaker of dogs listed in Table No.2 must be at least 18 years old.
The Law imposes criminal penalties, such as fines and terms of imprisonment, on violators.
Date of text
Entry into force notes
This Law enters into force the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Repealed
No
Source language

English

Legislation status
in force
Legislation Amendment
No