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Stricter Rules for Dog Ownership – What Changes After Parliament Decision

Published March 27, 2026, 07:25
Stricter Rules for Dog Ownership – What Changes After Parliament Decision

Parliament approved legislative proposals for dog welfare and owner responsibilities, with stricter provisions to address stray dogs. The issue has been debated for three years and includes a requirement to provide a dog death certificate, reduce the age for registration in the registry, and increase ownership fees. The offense of walking a dog without a leash and a bag for collecting feces is also being established. The amendments include out-of-court settlement of offenses and clarification of the responsibilities of the authorities. A proposal to delete the term "approved trap" was rejected. The acceptance of an amendment by AKEL regarding hunting dogs was significant. The bills aim to address dog abandonment and uncontrolled breeding. The passage of these laws is expected to contribute to improving dog welfare and more effective management of the stray dog problem.