Legislation
The following are the main regulations governing matters relating to the protection of companion animals, their keeping, identification, registration and licensing, with a special regime for dangerous or potentially dangerous animals, as well as regulations concerning the control of rabies and other diseases transmissible to humans. National legislation concerning the protection of the Iberian wolf is also included.
Protection of companion animals
Establishes legal standards, particularly regarding the keeping, housing, care and handling, safety, welfare and transport of companion animals.
Identification and registration of dogs and cats
Establish the legal rules for the registration, classification and licensing of dogs and cats, as well as their identification, namely through electronic identification systems.
Decree-Law No. 314/2003, of December 17, 2003
Establishes the rules relating to the possession, retention, trade, exhibition and entry into national territory of animals susceptible to rabies, in addition to approving the National Programme for the Control and Epidemiological Surveillance of Animal Rabies and Other Zoonoses (PNLVERAZ).
Control of rabies and other zoonoses
Establish the legal rules relating to the possession, retention, trade, and exhibition of animals and their entry into the country within the scope of the programme to control animal rabies and other zoonoses — diseases transmitted to humans.
Decree-Law No. 314/2003, of December 17, 2003
Approves the National Programme for the Control and Epidemiological Surveillance of Animal Rabies and Other Zoonoses (PNLVERAZ) and also establishes the rules relating to the possession, retention, trade, exhibition and entry into national territory of animals susceptible to rabies.
Possession of dangerous animals
Establish the legal regime for the breeding, reproduction and possession of dangerous and potentially dangerous animals as pets, reinforcing the requirements for their possession and the criminal and administrative offence regimes, and define the breeds and crossbreeds that are potentially dangerous.
Law No. 82/2009, of August 21, 2009
Authorises the criminalisation of behaviours corresponding to the promotion of or participation with animals in fights between them, as well as the offence against physical integrity caused by a dangerous or potentially dangerous animal, by intent or negligence of its owner.
Protection of the Iberian wolf
Establish and regulate the foundations for the protection, conservation and promotion of the Iberian wolf.