Yesterday (2 December) president Karol Nawrocki signed another crucial animal bill. He's putting a ban on fur farming. The paper provides, among another things, for an eight-year transitional period, compensation for breeders and severance for workers of 12 months' salary. However, the second alleged chain law was vetoed.
"Old" Chain Act. What was in it?
The bill vetoed by the President, which passed through the Sejm in September, presupposed primarily the ban on keeping dogs trapped. It was expected to be a breakthrough, due to the fact that the current regulations let it for a maximum of 12 hours a day.
Exceptions from the ban included transport, veterinary or care treatments, participation in exhibitions or short-term immobilisation in emergency situations.
The most controversial element, however, was the minimum dimensions of the coyotes. The rules were intended to introduce a metre based on the weight of the dog:
10 sqm for dogs little than 20 kg
15 sqm for those from 20 to 30 kg
20 sqm for dogs over 30 kg.
The owners of the dogs in the huts would besides be obliged to guarantee that they decision outside the shelter at least twice a day.
Why did president Nawrocki veto the Animal Conservation Act?
In his statement, the president admitted that the intention itself is "right and noble", but the task itself considered "bad written". The main reason for the veto was just mentioned, the minimum standards of the area of the coyotes, which would be the size of the studios, he called "completely unreal".
The head of the President's office, Zbigniew Bogucki gave applicable shortcomings to the bill. He noted that the cost of building fresh lodges could be unsurpassable for any owners, which would lead to abandoning dogs and limiting their adoption from shelters.
"She gave the basis for picking up a large dog due to the fact that his bunk would have, for example, 15 sqm, not the required 20 sqm and placing it in a shelter on just a fewer square meters" - he wrote in a post on X.
A fresh chain bill. What does the president propose?
President Nawrocki besides sent his own bill to the Sejm yesterday (the full can be read here and the justification here), whose main nonsubjective is to ban pets (not only dogs) from being trapped.
It besides does not contain restrictive requirements concerning the dimensions of squatters (but there is simply a point about the buildings, about which in a moment). The most crucial assumptions of the presidential task are:
Total ban on keeping pets trapped
In the explanatory memorandum, we will read that the current regulations are imprecise, and the demonstration of exceeding 12 hours of imprisonment is "dead and inappropriate". The general ban will fix it, or it will actually fix it. It sounds precisely like, "You can't keep pets trapped."
Chain bans will have exceptions
This includes leading on a leash and binding for transport, exhibitions, veterinary treatments, and short-term attachment outside the place of permanent living, provided that it does not compromise the animal's welfare.
Obligation to guarantee adequate housing
If individual keeps a dog in a coma, unheated area or open space, they must supply a warm, dog-sized building made of thermal barrier materials, with insulation from the ground. In the case of many dogs, everyone must have their own place.
Other exceptions
The fresh rules will not apply to dogs utilized for peculiar purposes (e.g. in police, rescue) and shepherd dogs during seasonal cultural grazing.
When would the fresh chain bill come in?
Owners would gotta adapt existing buildings to the fresh requirements within 12 months of the publication of the Act. The task is to enter into force 12 months after the date of publication. However, before this happens, it must be discussed in the Sejm and adopted by a majority of Members.