France has recently approved a bill to “fight animal abuse”, which prohibits the sale of young dogs and cats in pet shops and banning the presence of wild animals in circuses. As of 1 January 2024, sales of dogs and cats in pet stores will be prohibited.

Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie, in response to this bill, he celebrated on Twitter that:

“…pets are not neither toys, nor goods, nor consumer products.”

Statistics has shown that one in two people in France owns a pet, however around 100,000 pets are abandoned each year. This bill aims to enforce stricter penalties for mistreatment or abandonment of pets. For example, if one voluntarily kills a pet, it would be considered a crime and not just a simple offence. In relation to mistreatment cases, those convicted of ill-treatment of animals will also be required to attend an animal awareness course.

Another step forward is that to prevent owners from impulsive purchases, the French Government has introduced a documentation called the “certificate of commitment and knowledge”, with all future animal owners required to obtain this certificate before being able to purchase a pet.

Wild animals in Circuses

Shifting attitudes towards animal captivity has resulted in plans to discontinue circuses with wild animals all together. In the past, thousands of animals have been displayed in the 120 travelling circuses in France. Now, there are plans to discontinue the display of these animals within the next 2 years, and completely banning the possession of circus animals in 7 years’ time. Likewise, moves towards ending the display of animals are also taking place for marine animals in aquariums. The 21 captive dolphins, and 4 captive orcas in France are scheduled to be freed in 5 years’ time.

William Kerwich, President of the sector union, in strong opposition of this bill comments that: -

“…it is an arbitrary law since there is no animal abuse in our circuses.”

However, for the Animalist Party, environmentalists and some leftist formations, has disagreed and echoes that the law does not go far enough to fight against animal abuse as a whole. In particular environmental senator Daniel Salmon voiced out that, “much remains to be done, especially against factory farming.”

For the future direction of animal laws in France, LoïcDombreval, rapporteur for the Parliament, stated: -

“the day will inevitably come when (…) we will be able to discuss sensitive issues, such as certain hunting practices, such as bullfights or certain livestock practices.”

Courtesy of Arial Ng.

Main Source: The Costa Rica News