Amendments to the Animal Welfare Law in Madrid

The Community of Madrid has approved Law 7/2024, of December 26 , which introduces key amendments to the Companion Animal Protection Act . These amendments have a significant impact on hunting dogs , addressing their situation differently than the national Animal Welfare Act , which excludes them from its scope. In Madrid, hunting dogs are considered companion animals but also receive special treatment due to their use in specific activities.

Main Changes in the Law

The new regulations establish that hunting dogs must be registered in the Pet Identification Registry and used by individuals with a hunting license issued by the competent authority. Unlike other species, they can only be bred and sold by authorized breeders , while their transfer to third parties must be exclusively non-commercial . The transfer of the animal between individuals for non-profit purposes is permitted, although the costs of veterinary treatment, identification, and sterilization may be charged.

One of the new features is the obligation to report the loss or abduction of an animal within a maximum of 48 hours . Furthermore, the law prohibits mutilations or permanent body modifications on animals, except in the case of hunting dogs , for which osteotomy and caudectomy are permitted under veterinary supervision. This exception, aligned with the European Convention on the Protection of Companion Animals , aims to prevent injuries and improve their well-being during hunting.

Regulation of the Pack of Rehalas

The law also defines a pack of hunting dogs as a group of hunting dogs registered in the Registry of Zoological Centers for Companion Animals , which may have a single owner or guardian. This guardian may be a natural or legal person who, although not the owner, is responsible for the animal's care, either permanently or temporarily.

The Spanish Association of Hunting Dogs (AER) has played a crucial role in the amendment of this law, presenting proposals that have been accepted to improve the situation of hunting dogs in Madrid. The AER has thanked the authorities for their willingness and understanding, highlighting the work of its representative in Madrid, Diego Gómez-Arroyo, and the legal advice provided by the Bernad y Asociados law firm.