New law in Spain makes pets legal members of the family

Spain passed a new animal welfare law on January 5 that recognizes animals as sentient beings. The country will consider them official members of the family and not “objects”.

From now on, animals will have greater legal protection. This law protects mainly domestic animals, although wild animals are included in this legislation. It is also included in this law the illegal declaration of the abandonment or mistreatment of animals.

What the new law does not contemplate are other cases of animal cruelty such as bullfighting, which are still legal in the country.

Rules are also introduced in case of divorce or separation, where the judge must take into account the interests and welfare of the animals. And provisions are incorporated to determine the fate of the animals in the event of the owner’s death.

In this way, Spain joins a growing list of countries that recognize animals as sentient beings. Other countries that have passed similar laws include France, Brussels and New Zealand.