Researchers, veterinarians, hunting associations, animal rights activists and conservationists are some of the groups that have submitted arguments to the controversial bill for the protection, rights and welfare of animals, aimed at pets.
The norm, one of the main bets of United We Can, achieved after a tug of war of almost five months due to discrepancies with the PSOE that the Council of Ministers gave the green light to its parliamentary processing in February.
In the public information phase, the hunters have requested the complete withdrawal of the text because they consider that it threatens their activity, in which dogs are a fundamental part.
A group of 72 scientists from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and from several universities have highlighted that the protection of companion animals cannot collide with national and European biodiversity conservation strategies, as would happen if the management of the cats that propose.
While for animalist associations the text falls short.
These are the main sticking points.
Mandatory sterilization
The bill wants to put a stop to the uncontrolled reproduction of pets that leads to their abandonment.
To do this, it proposes that when animals of the same species and different sexes cannot remain separated, at least all members of one of the sexes must be sterilized, except in the event that their owners are registered in the Breeders' Registry.
The Royal Canine Society of Spain (RSCE) has argued that sterilization should never be "compulsory and generalized", because it does not serve to end "animal abandonment", but will put "in serious danger the conservation and survival of canine breeds ”.
The organization adds that it is not reversible and that "drastically affects the future of each animal."
He proposes finding alternative methods, such as the chemical one that is reversible, for dogs “which represent a cultural, genetic and historical heritage in our country”.
A large part of these dogs, they add, carry out grazing and guarding tasks, being their "
especially valuable genetic
pool ".
Hunters are adamantly opposed to imposing sterilization on animals if their owners do not register with the breeders' register.
In the allegations of the Royal Spanish Hunting Federation it is indicated that "it supposes a flagrant violation of fundamental rights, such as private property," they say.
The Spanish Veterinary Business Confederation (CEVE) also opposes the general application of this measure, except for cat colonies.
The organization alleges that surgical sterilization is not only the annulment of reproductive capacity, but "the interference of a complex hormonal and endocrine system with multiple side effects."
Stray cat colony management
The text allocates the entire chapter VIII to feline colonies, whose members are not considered abandoned animals.
An "ethical population" control is proposed through the system of capture, sterilization and return to the colony, in order to reduce the population while maintaining its protection.
In addition, it is pointed out that the species that are included in the list of pets - which will be developed by regulation and which is only known to include dogs, cats and ferrets - will not be considered invasive nor can they be controlled by killing or hunting specimens.
A group of 72 scientists from the Doñana Biological Station and other CSIC bodies, in addition to researchers from various universities, consider that the management of these cats is one of the "most negative aspects" of the draft, due to its serious impacts on biodiversity. .
They prey on wild animals, especially mammals, birds and reptiles, and are transmitters of diseases to both wildlife and people, they warn.
The researchers maintain that they cannot be considered pets, because there is no person responsible for them and they should be outside this law.
Prohibition of sale in stores
The transmission of animals can only be done by the breeder, without intermediaries, points out the draft, which also contemplates the donation.
They must be sterilized in the cases established by regulation, except when they are delivered to a breeder.
The Royal Canine Society of Spain (RSEC) considers that this will prevent the hereditary transmission of pets or transfer between family members, friends, in case of illness or transfer.
This article should be limited only to the onerous area, they propose.
Conservationists at the Franz Weber Foundation and animal advocates at Intercids have called for a ban on internet trading.
Veterinarians see positive that a store can sell animals as an intermediary if they are not exhibited.
“By taking responsibility”, they will choose the best breeders and avoid scams and fraud in internet sales, which would be the most used.
What are the pets?
The law will create a list that will determine which animals are companion animals.
As it will be developed by regulation, at the moment, the only thing that is known for sure is that dogs, cats and ferrets will be inside.
Invasive exotic species will not be included in the list and those that are finally chosen may not be subjected to population control resulting in death or hunting.
Animals used in bullfighting shows, production animals, experimentation and research animals and wild animals are also excluded.
The researchers consider that the list should be limited to pets.
Something that will not happen if the current text is maintained, which defines various categories of animals, including urban animals, those that, without having an owner, share geographic territory with people.
If this concept is followed, the exclusion of wildlife proposed by the standard is inapplicable because it is "impossible" to separate the urban animal from the wild animal and it could include reptiles, birds, amphibians and thousands of invertebrates, from scorpions to lice .
Hunting dogs and equines
The hunting group is one of the most combative against the draft: they believe that it must be withdrawn in its entirety because it affects their interests, to the point that they have come to ensure that what they seek is to end their activity.
The Royal Spanish Hunting Federation (RFEC) asks to exclude from the draft all auxiliary animals or animals with a social function that participate in hunting [dogs or ferrets], as well as sports activities with animals, all wild animals and game species.
However, conservationists from the Franz Weber Foundation and Intercids (legal professionals for animals) warn that "hunting dogs are dogs" and reject "any attempt" to reduce welfare or security controls for reasons as unjustified as that these are used for hunting or grazing.
A consideration shared by the PACMA animalist party, which warns that hunters would be privileged.
For example, they will not have to undergo training to have a dog, like the rest of the population.
The bill also exempts hunters and ranchers from other obligations such as passing an annual veterinary check-up or not using animals that have not reached 18 months of age, PACMA specifies.
animal abuse
The law defines abuse as any conduct, whether by action or omission, that causes damage or compromises the basic needs of said animal.
The hunters suggest that the word "unnecessary" or "useless" should be added to this description, so that "legitimate activities or practices such as hunting, fishing, sport on or with animals, livestock, agriculture ...”.
The RFEC also asks that the prohibition of pigeon shooting, tube shooting, practices that may cause the death of animals, not appear in the text, because "it is not the responsibility of this law".
On the contrary, the Franz Weber Foundation and Intercids request to expand the measures against mistreatment by prohibiting the use of mechanisms or gadgets that prevent the mobility of animals except by veterinary prescription.
This would fight against practices such as putting traps on the legs of horses in the mountains of Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria.
The Spanish Veterinary Business Confederation (CEVE) warns that the definition of mistreatment is too vague.
For example, if a person has an accident that prevents him from caring for his pet, he could be considered abuse because he lacks care for him while he is in the hospital.
Animals in circuses, audiovisual productions and bulls
The bill prohibits the use of animals of wild fauna species in circus shows.
Something that falls short for the Franz Weber Foundation and Intercids, which propose the extension to any animal.
For audiovisual productions, they propose that technological alternatives be used instead of real animals in filming of all kinds.
The animalist party PACMA criticizes not only the exclusion of fighting cattle and wildlife from the law, but also that of domestic animals for production and experimentation.
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