Act No. 74 on Responsible Dog Ownership (the Dog Act).

The present Act consolidates all provisions concerning dog ownership into a single act. The purpose of the Act is, among other things, to legitimize interventions against dangerous dog ownership and to provide a range of safety measures intended to prevent children and adults from being bitten by dogs. The Act also aims to promote good animal welfare and foster respect for and knowledge about dogs. The Act recognizes the intrinsic value of dogs, regardless of the utility they may have for humans. It mandates that they be treated and cared for in a manner that is consistent with and takes into account their nature, and that protects them from the risk of unnecessary stress and strain.