Parliament passes laws to ban keeping pets permanently chained or on balconies, and selling or using collars that hurt them
On 28 October parliament gave final approval to two laws on pets. The first bans keeping an animal permanently on a chain or on a balcony. The second bans the sale and use of collars and other restraint and training devices that cause an animal pain, injury or stress.
Both laws still have to be signed by the president. Once they are published, the government will have 90 days to draw up detailed rules: only then will it be clear when the bans take effect and what the fines for breaking them will be.
Under the first law, an animal must not be left unattended for so long that its health, welfare or safety suffers. The level of care must match the needs of that particular animal. Under the second law, where restraint or training is unavoidable, it must not injure the animal or cause it unnecessary pain or fear.
