The new animal welfare law passed by the Regional Council of Piedmont introduces an important step forward in the field of animal protection and welfare, finally banning an all-too-common practice: keeping dogs on chains.
This measure recognises the right of dogs to move freely and to interact with their surrounding environment and with their owners, averting all the problems that dogs kept on chains face: stress, frustration, behavioural issues, aggression, and depression.
The only exceptions to the ban concern specific cases of a health, safety, or cynological nature, where the use of a chain (which must in any case represent a temporary solution) may be necessary to protect the dog or people. In all other cases, owners will be required to ensure that their pets are able to move freely.
This measure is part of a broader framework for the protection of animal welfare, which also includes the recognition of pet therapy, the possibility of being interred with the ashes of one’s pet, and new rules for keeping potentially dangerous animals.
Councillor Chiara Caucino emphasised that this law «clarifies the obligations, rights and duties of pet owners”, making Piedmont “a Region that is also animal-friendly”. The ban on keeping dogs on chains is undoubtedly an important step forward in this direction, and we at Animal Law Italia are pleased to have contributed to this small yet significant success, as part of the “Freedom for Dogs” coalition together with Green Impact and Fondazione Cave Canem.