Law on keeping dogs

The federal bill "On the Responsible Treatment of Animals and Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation" was drafted by State Duma deputies back in 2010. This legal act established more specific and strict rules for pet owners.

Despite the fact that the bill is still was not adopted in the final reading, dog owners are still advised to take note of its provisions. Compliance with the requirements for the care and treatment of animals will help people avoid unpleasant situations and possible liability in the future.

General care requirements

The owner's responsibilities are specified in Chapter 3, Article 9, Parts 1 and 2. It states that a person is obliged to:

• comply with established zootechnical, zoohygienic, veterinary-sanitary and sanitary-epidemiological norms and rules (specified below);
• provide conditions necessary from the point of view of biological and individual characteristics;
• register your pet and, if necessary, provide professional veterinary care;
• eliminate the possibility of the birth of unwanted offspring;
• at the request of government officials involved in animal welfare, bring their ward for regular examinations, diagnostic tests, vaccinations and other preventive measures;
• dispose of the body of a dead dog.

According to the document, a dog can only live in a place where:

• it does not pose a threat to surrounding citizens;
• there is enough free space, light, air;
• the temperature and humidity conditions are normal;
• there is a possibility of contact with other animals;
• there are conditions that do not allow the animal to freely leave the confinement area and at the same time protect it from negative external influences.

Important! Relinquishing ownership of a pet due to inability to provide proper care does not relieve a person of responsibility for its fate until the animal is placed with a new owner or transferred to a shelter.

To the owners of land plots

Chapter 3, Article 10, Part 2 of this Russian Federation bill stipulates that dogs may be kept in the private sector on a shared walking basis. However, in this case, either the entire area must be fenced, or the dog must be leashed and allowed to roam only under human supervision.

Residents of apartment buildings

The Russian Federation's draft law on dog keeping also addresses areas where large groups of people coexist. Thus, in multi-apartment residential buildings, pets will no longer be allowed in common areas, as well as on balconies and loggias, in communal apartments, and in dormitories, as stipulated in Chapter 3, Article 11, Part 2, Clause 6. The owner's responsibilities are further clarified in Chapter 3, Article 15, Parts 1, 2, and 3. The owner of the animal is obligated to:

• respect the rights and legitimate interests of residents of an apartment building;
• take into account the rules and specifics of keeping and walking animals, individually established by the authorities of a particular constituent entity of the Russian Federation.

About potentially dangerous breeds

The rules of the law on keeping dogs in both apartment buildings and the private sector pay special attention to representatives of potentially dangerous breeds - this is covered in Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 16, Chapter 3.

Important! The task of compiling a list of dangerous breeds, as well as the care requirements for them, is assigned to the authorized federal executive body in each individual Russian region. Therefore, the list may vary across the country, as it will be created by local officials.

Potentially dangerous pets will be required to be registered first. They will also be prohibited from being taken outside, into stairwells, elevators, entryways, and public spaces without a leash and a muzzle.

Punishments

The rights of officials authorized to exercise state supervision in the area of ​​animal welfare are enshrined in Chapter 5, Article 23, Parts 1 and 2.If the bill becomes a full-fledged law, representatives of the executive branch will be able to:

1. Submit written requests to obtain documents necessary to carry out the inspection.
2. Freely inspect private areas, buildings, structures, premises and other places where animals are kept, upon presentation of an employee ID and a copy of the order (instruction) of the manager or his deputy.
3. Issue orders to individuals and legal entities requiring them to eliminate violations in the area of ​​pet handling and to oversee the timely execution of orders.
4. In case of refusal to assist, transfer the case to the internal affairs agencies.
5. Seize animals.
6. File a claim for compensation for damages caused by failure to comply with mandatory requirements in the area of ​​handling pets.

Careless owners who neglect their dogs will be placed in a high-risk category. Disciplinary, administrative, civil, and criminal penalties will be applied for violations.

Read also:

• The 2017 Russian Dog Walking Law
• How to teach a dog commands: a list of commands
• General dog training course without a trainer