The majority had made it their hobbyhorse.
A few months before the presidential election, it is now moving up a gear.
The Senate has just adopted a bill against animal abuse.
On the menu of this vast text, carried by Loïc Dombreval (LREM), veterinarian by profession: tougher sentences for abuse and abandonment, a gradual ban on wild animals in circuses or the end of the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores.
That is to say so many measures touted as a "historic step" by the majority, but perceived as still too timid for defenders of the animal cause.
We take stock.
What does the bill contain?
First measure: anyone transferring a pet must have the new owner sign a “certificate of commitment and knowledge of the specific needs of the species” for their new companion. The idea? Fight against abandonment by providing information on the real needs and costs (veterinary expenses, food, etc.) that a dog or a cat can represent. The text still plans to ban the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores from 2024. Only abandoned animals can be presented for adoption in these structures, in partnership with shelters.
Selling animals will also be penalized on the Internet, except for breeders.
Another important measure, the penalties for mistreatment will be strengthened.
Willfully killing a pet will be an offense and no longer a simple ticket.
These acts can lead to up to five years' imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros.
The recording of images will also be penalized.
Those convicted of mistreatment will have to follow an awareness training course.
Finally, those who will be prohibited from keeping an animal will be entered in the wanted persons file.
And in circuses and fairs?
The main bone of contention, the presentation of wild animals in traveling circuses will gradually disappear.
It will be prohibited to present them to the public by 2023, and to hold them by 2028. The exhibition of animals in private parties and discos will no longer be authorized.
Likewise, from 2023, the presentation of wild animals on television will be prohibited, except for zoos and farms.
Finally, any dolphin or killer whale show will be banned by 2026.
VALERY HACHE / AFP
Measures which are not without worrying the profession.
"The government will be there to support professionals" with a view to their retraining and reception solutions for animals, promised the Secretary of State for Biodiversity Bérangère Abba.
What reactions?
If the majority welcomes a "historic" step for the animal cause, some elected members of the opposition deplore an "insufficient" text. The bill does not tackle "animal abuse as a whole", thus lambasted the deputies Olivier Falorni (Freedoms and territories) and Bastien Lachaud of rebellious France, according to whom hunting in particular "will have been particularly cajoled »During this five-year term.
A point of view shared by the Animalist Party which, despite "some progress" points to "many shortcomings". “Breeding conditions are not addressed, as is the ban on chick crushing, however promised by the government. Not a word was said on bullfighting, nor on animal education and ethics measures that could be taught in school, ”regrets Hélène Thouy, co-founder of the Animalist Party and declared presidential candidate.
On the NGO side, if the 30 Million Friends Foundation welcomes "progressive measures which will allow France to catch up", it still believes that the "text does not go far enough".
"This is a first step, we hope that it will lead to other measures which have not been addressed (regulation of intensive breeding or experiments on animals) and which are desired by a majority. of French ”, notes Jean-François Legueulle, general delegate of the foundation.
What is the finding in France?
In France, one in two households owns at least one pet.
The French own more than nine million dogs, fifteen million cats, a million equines.
But they would remain the European champions of abandonment.
Each year, some 100,000 animals are left without an owner, estimates the animal rights association Trente Million Amis.
However, this figure should be put into perspective since there are no real European statistics, as Le Parisien already explained.
Read alsoThe French and pets in figures
"It's not the bastard on duty who gives up, it's the neighbor, the cousin, Mr. or Mrs. everyone," insisted Reha Hutin, the president of 30 million friends, during the launch of a shock campaign last June.