By: CECÍLIA PIRES
A CLEAN CRIMINAL record and a document proving the mental and physical fitness of owners are two of the changes in a new regulation regarding the ownership of dangerous dogs which came into effect on Friday.
Portuguese laws for those who have dangerous, or potentially dangerous, dogs at home are now more restrictive and severe. The previous regulations, approved by the national parliament in October of 2003, were still not very severe on owners of the most dangerous type of dogs.
The list of breeds identified as dangerous or potentially dangerous has not been changed and includes the Fila Brasileiro and the Argentine Dogo, as well as the Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, American Stattfordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Tosa Inu.
Legislation
The new regulation represents the first change since 2003 and retains the criteria of a minimum age of 18 for people to own dangerous dogs.
Owners must now possess a clean criminal record, which includes not having any kind of conviction for crimes against the physical integrity of third persons, public health or even against peace and public order.
A medical certificate on the person’s physical and psychological fitness is also required, although the new law is not clear on that point, saying instead that the Government is still to legislate on that in a near future.
The obligation of implementing an electronic chip with the full identification of the dog and its owner, as well as its special characteristics is created by the new legislation.
This requirement is particularly aimed at commercial owners, who are now compelled to chip any dog they intend to advertise and sell.
Publicity about dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs is also prohibited by the new law and breeders now require a special licence from Direcção-Geral de Veterinária, the national veterinary authority.
Breeders of dangerous dogs must create an updated record of all the animals bred, indicating the species, breed and cross breed as well as the exact number they sell.
Fines for ignoring the law can differ from a minimum of 500 euros to a maximum of 3,740 euros or 44 890 euros, depending on whether the offender is an individual or a company. Should people break the law a second time, all fines are aggravated by 30 per cent.
The previous legislation had fines of 50 euros and 1,850 euros for individuals who would not identify the animals and of 22,000 euros if it was a company.
Do you have a view on this story? Email: editor@portugalresident.com
