Fines for keeping pets violate their rights, says Animal Protection Alliance lawyer
On November 30, National Animal Day, Putin signed a law establishing fines for non-compliance with pet ownership regulations.
These requirements existed before—they are spelled out in Article 13 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses. However, this provision did not provide for administrative penalties, and the amendments address this "defect."
«There's nothing new or beneficial for animal welfare in this amendment. The amendments protect the rights of citizens, not animals. There's not even such a thing as animal rights. Animals aren't legal entities, but rather things. The amendments increase liability for animal behavior, but not for its treatment."," the Animal Defense Alliance lawyer is confident Evgeniya Primechaeva.
What can you now be fined for:
🔸 Failure to respect the rights and legitimate interests of apartment building residents
🔸exceeding the "limit" number of animals in a house or apartment
🔸free range
🔸unremoved waste products
🔸Walking "potentially dangerous" dogs without a leash or muzzle
For example, a dog owner may be fined following a complaint from neighbors for barking or howling in the apartment. However, if the owner beats the animal as a "disciplinary measure," they will not face any punishment. A fine can also be imposed if a cat scratches a child who wanted to cuddle the furry creature while out for a walk. Declawing a dog can go unpunished.
Primezaeva believes that the new law will simply be a new way to fill the treasury, while mechanisms for solving the real problem—violations of animal rights—are absent in Russia.
The amendment contains vague wording, including "other requirements" and "mandatory provision of citizen safety." How these provisions will be interpreted in practice and who will enforce the legislation remains unclear.
Fines for violating animal keeping requirements for citizens - from 1,5 thousand. prior to 3 тыс. rubles, for officials - from 5 тыс. until 15 тыс. rubles, for legal entities - from 15 тыс. until 30 тыс. rubles.
The published amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation will come into force on December 10.