ZERO SACRIFICE

THE Valencian parliament has approved a new animal welfare bill which is tougher than a new controversial national law, passed in Madrid last month.

The regional law imposes penalties of up to €45,000 for the most serious cases of animal abuse while the new legislation also includes hunting dogs, who are now classified as ‘pets’.

“This makes us a fairer, modern and, above all, more pro-

While hunting dogs are also protected as ‘pets’ in wide-reaching new Valencia animal rights law

By Alex Trelinski

tective community,” insisted Valencian minister, Isaura Navarro.

Head of AnimaNaturalis in Spain, Aida Gascon, called the Valencian law 'a step forward which puts the region in the forefront of animal protec- tion'.

The law pursues the notion of 'zero sacrifice' for animals and classifies them as 'sentient beings' and not just pets. Certain sports activities that involve the cruel treatment of animals are prohibited, as well as travelling circus shows with any type of species. Bullfighting does not come