The decree will enter into force from the second half of November.Continue reading
The National Assembly has voted to tighten animal protection rules, unanimously approving without dissent a bill submitted by Minister of Justice Bence Tuzson and Government Commissioner for Animal Protection Péter Ovádi.
The new regulations concern more consistent action against animal abusers and illegal animal traders, a ban on begging with live animals and raffling live animals as prizes, the promotion of responsible animal husbandry and animal protection education, and the swift resolution of the fate of abused animals.
Péter Ovádi wrote in a statement:
In accordance with the adopted law, anyone who commits animal cruelty while operating an animal shelter or animal rescue center will face more severe penalties in the future. The penalty is even higher if the cruelty is committed against more than ten animals.”
According to the reasoning, persons involved in the operation of such facilities and caregivers have increased responsibility and enjoy the trust of society, justifying stricter penalties for animal cruelty.
The law treats it as a separate criminal offense if someone separates puppies from their mothers before the age specified in the legislation and imports them into the country in commercial quantities, takes them out of the country, or transports them through the country.
In response to recent serious cases, the law now classifies begging with live animals as a misdemeanor. The explanatory memorandum states that “vulnerable animals are used to manipulate people emotionally, and the animals are tied up, left in the snow and frost, in the scorching sun, and even without food or water.”
The new regulation also prohibits the raffling of live animals as prizes. Under the law, authorities will be able to more easily and quickly resolve the fate of abused animals in animal protection proceedings in the future so that these animals can be placed in a safe environment as soon as possible. If an owner who is required to participate in animal welfare training does not voluntarily comply with this obligation, the animal welfare authority may prohibit them from keeping animals until the obligation is fulfilled.
The aim is to ensure that failure to comply with the obligations imposed by the animal welfare authority for the protection of animals cannot be remedied by paying a fine. Rather, in the event of such a failure, a ban on keeping animals may be imposed in addition to a fine.
The explanatory memorandum emphasizes that in serious cases, it is not realistic to temporarily remove the abused animal, and it is necessary to enable the authority to consider the possibility of immediate confiscation of the animal. The law addresses the importance of raising awareness about animal welfare, and detailed rules on animal welfare training and education will be laid down in a decree.
The new rules will enter into force on the 61st day after their promulgation.
Via MTI, Featured image: Pixabay