What has changed in the Law "On Responsible Animal Treatment" as of January 1, 2025?
As of January 1, 2025, certain provisions of the Law "On Responsible Treatment of Animals" have come into force. The text of the document can be found on the National Legal Internet Portal of the Republic of Belarus. Let's focus on the innovations of this document.
1. New terminology.
Among the innovations is the introduction of the concepts of "dog requiring special owner responsibility" and "dangerous dog." Thus, a "dog requiring special owner responsibility" is a dog of a certain breed, as well as its hybrids and crossbreeds, characterized by particularly large size (withers height over 70 cm) and (or) particular aggressiveness towards individuals and (or) animals, included in the list of dog breeds requiring special owner responsibility, determined by the Council of Ministers.
A dangerous dog is a dog that has caused harm to the life or health of an individual and (or) an animal, established by a court decision or a decision of an authorized state body.
2. Mandatory special courses and provision of conditions for keeping a pet.
The owner of dogs of the above categories is obliged to complete special courses and subsequently obtain a certificate within the following deadlines:
- within three months from the date of acquiring the dog;
- within one month from the date of entry into force of the decision to recognize the dog as dangerous.
Owners of dogs that acquired a pet before January 1, 2025, and have not yet completed the special courses, are obliged to complete them by July 1 of the current year.
It should be noted that not all categories of citizens are allowed to acquire dogs requiring special owner responsibility, as well as dangerous dogs. These categories include minors, legally incapacitated persons, as well as those under dispensary observation in the field of psychiatry. This also includes individuals previously punished for animal cruelty.
The purchase and sale of such categories of pets are carried out through a written contract.
3. Transportation according to rules
When transporting an animal, the owner is obliged to ensure adequate ventilation for the pet, protection from harmful external influences, prevent escape, death or injury during loading or unloading, and also ensure its needs for food, water, and rest in accordance with its requirements.
4. Punishment for cruelty
In connection with the innovations, the punishment for animal cruelty has been increased to 4 years of imprisonment.
5. Companion animal
This term refers to an animal to which a person feels affection, keeps it at home, as well as a guide dog, a hunting dog. Such pets are prohibited from:
- being kept in entrances, basements, or other auxiliary premises;
- being released from residential building apartments without the owners' supervision;
- being brought to (except for guide dogs) trade facilities and public catering, household and social services, education, healthcare, physical culture and sports, and livestock facilities;
- disposing of such types of animals.
6. The list of obligations for pet owners has been expanded.
7. Comfortable living.
Between 23:00 and 07:00, animal owners must take measures regarding their pets to respect their neighbors' right to comfortable living.
The text of the Law itself is located here
Photos from open sources