New Rules For 'big' Dogs In Spain?

giveithere

This is totally off topic so I hope you kind guys at MSE.com will tolerate this!!!??? however it is pet related!!!!!????

We travel every January to Spain for a few weeks and take our doberman with us. However whilst we were there beginning of this year there was talk of a new law being introduced which is basically as follows...

Any dog over 25kg, regardless of breed (yes giant poodles even you!!!), whilst in a public place, should be muzzled and on a lead of no more than 2metres in length (1metre in the Andalucian province!!!!????). There are other conditions as well but this is the major one.

Now I need to know if anyone has any experience of this law. Is it being enforced? The penalties are really quite severe for non-compliance according to the locals (anything up to one hundred and twenty five thousand euros).

If anyone can advise what is 'really' happening that would greatly appreciated.

pboae

There is a similar law in Germany, I don't know how it works in Spain, but enforcement in Germany is patchy. A lot of people get away with it, but then some have the book thrown at them.

Personally I wouldn't take my dog (St. Bernard) to a country with laws like that. We currently go to France regularly, but I won't take him into Germany. It sounds like he won't get to go to Spain either!

What's the worst case scenario in Spain? In Germany they could seize you dog and have it PTS. They probably wouldn't with a tourist, and would probably just tell you to leave the country, but I don't intend to risk it and find out. If the worst they will do is fine you, then I might risk it. If it wasn't generally being enforced.

Annando

Interesting comment pboae, when I last was in Berlin I was surprised to see dogs off their leads following their owners on walks, crossing roads etc... Really well behaved!
Was pretty amazed actually and put it down to sound strict german dog upbringing...
Now I find out the owners were actually breaking the law!!!

Paparika

blimey worth knowing before you go.

Slightly off topic but relevant to taking pets abroad.

My pup is 7 months now and up to date with his jabs, needs his kennel cough in nov for a Christmas stay in kennels.

My parents want me to spend a fortnight with them in Aug next year as its a year of 60th 40th birthday and anniversary's. What more do i need to let pup come with me, has anyone taken their pooch on a plane?

I know there is another jab at least that pup will need.

They live in Limogue in France.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I personally wouldn't care whether I could see the law being enforced or not. If it's the law, I would obey it. What if the consequences could be your dog being shot on sight - it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to you if the bloke next door had done the same and not been caught, you'd still be mourning the loss of your dog through sheer bloo**mindedness!

It may sound as though I'm overreacting, but in this country a dog can be taken away and put down if an owner cannot prove it isn't a pit bull and therefore not required to be muzzled in a public space, something difficult with some of the random mutts being passed off as staffie crosses these days.

It's not worth taking the chance really, is it?

Annando

Paparika wrote: »

Slightly off topic but relevant to taking pets abroad.

My pup is 7 months now and up to date with his jabs, needs his kennel cough in nov for a Christmas stay in kennels.

My parents want me to spend a fortnight with them in Aug next year as its a year of 60th 40th birthday and anniversary's. What more do i need to let pup come with me, has anyone taken their pooch on a plane?

I know there is another jab at least that pup will need.

They live in Limogue in France.

To bring him back to the UK through the pets passport scheme you will need to have him microchipped and from memory (it's been eight years since I brought my dogs to the UK) you will also need to have them checked by a french vet no more than 48h and no less than 24h before your flight back and they need to be de-fleaed and de-ticked (if you see what I mean).

What sort of dog do you have? To take a dog on a plane you will need to have him crated. If he weighs more no more than 5kg and is limited in size some airlines allow you to have him with you in the cabin in a soft crate (check with the airline before hand). Otherwise he will have to travel with the luggage in a special compartment, but still in his own crate. No toys, water, food or bedding allowed in the crate. The crate is not the cage type but a special one Vari Kennel type. (Have a look here I think they might have it http://www.doggiesolutions.co.uk).

If it's only for a fortnight have you considered leaving your dog with a dog sitter (in the carer's own home, not in your house)? It is far better than kennels and depending on where you live they tend to be the same price as kennels. The dogs are certainly happier in a family with loads of cuddles!

Paparika

He's already micro chipped, didn't realise about the French vets etc... but sensible.

He's a JRT x. and weighs a stone at 7 months.

your suggestions are good thanks

Mrs_pbradley936

Not quite the same but in many parts of the USA if your pet weighs more than 25lbs the ordinary household policy will not cover any liability so you have to pay an addition premium. Also many places have bye-laws which ban over size pets i.e. anything over 25lb so you can have a cat, a hamster, a rabbit or a small dog but not a big dog.

hotcookie101

Paparika wrote: »

blimey worth knowing before you go.

Slightly off topic but relevant to taking pets abroad.

My pup is 7 months now and up to date with his jabs, needs his kennel cough in nov for a Christmas stay in kennels.

My parents want me to spend a fortnight with them in Aug next year as its a year of 60th 40th birthday and anniversary's. What more do i need to let pup come with me, has anyone taken their pooch on a plane?

I know there is another jab at least that pup will need.

They live in Limogue in France.

For pet passport, once he is chipped, needs rabies vaccination, then blood test about 3 weeks after vaccination (depends on what vaccine vets use)
As long as blood test passed (has enough antibodies to rabies) pet passport can be filled in, but you cannot return to the UK until at least 6 months after the date of the blood test . If fails blood test then repeat vaccine etc

Needs tick and tapeworm treatment 24/48 hours before returning (must be certified by a vet)

All info here http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm

Paparika

Thanks again for the advice, just weighed him and he's just short of a stone and a half...ppft

Annando

Just checked a spanish website, aparently you also need to have special liability insurance should your dog bite anyone etc...you can't walk them in parks where there are children playing etc... someone was saying that you could only walk them at certain hours of the day, but not sure about that. the laws were apparently passed because there were so many fatal attacks by big dogs, what annoys me is that it is not really the dog bread that is at fault but the stupid humans who breed them for combat / kill etc...