(ANSA) - ROME, JANUARY 05 - Who keeps the dog or cat in case of divorce?
A Spanish law from today clarifies this type of litigation and grants the right to shared custody of domestic animals, now considered as "living beings endowed with sensitivity" and no longer as mere "things".
In the event of divorce, therefore, the judge from now on will have to consider "the future of companion animals, taking into account the interests of family members and the well-being of the animal, distributing custody and care", indicates the new provision, supported by self-governing coalition formed by Socialists and Podemos. A cat, dog, turtle, fish or pet bird could therefore be the subject of shared custody. Until now, the custody of pets in the event of divorce had been the subject of disputes in the courts hence the decision to amend the Spanish Civil Code.
The law also obliges owners to "guarantee the welfare" of their animals.
If they cannot do this or if it turns out that a person has a history of animal abuse, custody can be refused or revoked by a judge.
Spain is not the first European country to recognize animals as "sensitive living beings" - Similar laws have already been in place in France since 2015, but also in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Portugal.
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