Tackling irresponsible pet ownership. Spain leading the way.

While irresponsible pet ownership continues to escalate in the UK, the Government rests on its laurels under the misapprehension that their oft quoted saying that ” we have the best animal welfare laws in the world” is actually true.

While dangerous dogs roam the U.K attacking, injuring and killing humans and children alike, not to mention other dogs and livestock in ever increasing numbers, record numbers of unwanted pets in rescue centres and incidents of neglect and cruelty prevalent, the UK government scrapped its flagship animal welfare bill a few months ago, a 2019 election promise and seems to be in no hurry to take the issues seriously.

irresponsible pet ownership.

Spain’s new animal laws leading the way.

Whereas in Spain it appears they may be leading the way in really tackling the blight of irresponsible and uninformed dog and cat owning by introducing new laws from September 29, 2023. These are quite stringent with the inclusion of some far reaching and controversial requirements. All prospective dog owners must complete a course on how to look after them before acquiring one and present owners have two years to do the course. Failure or refusal means no dog ownership.

All pet owners must notify the authorities of an animal’s ownership so that a register can be kept. Non registered are subjected to seizure and sent to a protection centre and the owner fined. Third party civil liability insurance, vaccination and neutering will all be mandatory on dogs and cats which are not kept solely indoors. Most of these measures have a with 10,000 euro fine attached. Dogs can only be left home alone maximum six to eight hours, two hours in case of puppies or risk a 10,000 euro fine.

New fines and penalties have been drastically increased and divided into categories of seriousness of the offence and range from 500 euros to 200,000 euros and 3 to 18 months behind bars. These are way above UK penalties.

Are draconian laws to tackle irresponsible pet ownership the answer.

Draconian I hear everyone cry, but have we reached the point where they are necessary. Pushing the message that not all people have a right to own a pet despite their financial and physical circumstances has always been avoided for fear of riots in the streets, but the cause of most problems over the last few decades is that we have never addressed this issue. Even if Spain’s new regulations prove to be unenforceable it is a step in the right direction if we are ever to get on top of feckless and irresponsible ownership. But I fear most dog owners may not agree or would they?

Cruelty In Paradise, A Memoir of Nassau Bahamas

Cruelty in Paradise, A Memoir of Nassau Bahamas is my new book just published. It chronicles my adventures and tribulations in Nassau Bahamas in the 1970s during my stint as chief inspector of the Bahamas Humane Society. I was totally unaware and unprepared for the frustrations, dangers and horrors I was about to confront.

Bahamas Humane Society ambulance patrolling the island of New providence.

Could not believe the scale of animal cruelty.

Initially I could not believe the scale of animal cruelty on the island, involving the suffering of the iconic surrey horses which were often involved in road accidents or dropped dead through exhaustion; the wanton attacks on the roaming dogs locally known as potcakes and the shocking cruelty at the local Hobby Horse Race Track just to name a few of the issues. I faced death threats and brushes with voodoo sacrifice, and the work became relentless and overwhelming causing great emotional strain which began to take its toll on my mental health, but luckily the good times just about compensated for the bad.

I could not have survived without the welcome help and support of both the local and expat community and my small motley crew of staff and volunteers, not to forget my faithful dog Condor who became my soulmate and protector. The book describes the work of the humane society in its attempts to combat cruelty on the island and my harrowing day to day work.

A nostalgic look at 1970s Nassau, Bahamas

It is also a nostalgic look at what life was like in 1970s Nassau, my introduction into the Bahamian way of life, my exploration of the island and how I de-stressed from the relentless work by relaxing on Paradise Island which was then still an oasis of calm.

The book contains 80 of my previously unpublished photographs of Nassau, the people I met and my work. Available in paperback ISBN: 979-8376431179 from Amazon and Barnes & Noble and eBook ISBN: 979-8223708070 from most online retailers including Kindle, Apple, Nook and Kobo. Quick link to find the book at your favourite supplier.

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