THE SPOTLIGHT HAS CHANGED ON THE DOG LAW - WHAT PARLIAMENT VOTED FOR AFTER A HEATED DEBATE - TALK OF UNENFORCEABLE LAWS AND FIRE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES - Filenews 16/4
The Plenary Session of the Parliament on Thursday approved two amendments to the law on dogs, through two separate votes. The changes were voted after an intense debate among MPs, focusing on issues of enforceability of the legislation and animal protection.
Specifically, the bill of MPs Linos Papagiannis of ELAM and Christos Orphanides of DIKO was approved with 24 votes in favor, 19 against and 3 abstentions, while the proposal of MPs Giorgos Loukaidis of AKEL and Charalambos Theopemptou of the Ecologists Movement was also approved with 29 votes in favour, 11 against and one abstention.
During the discussion, ELAM MP, Linos Papagiannis, stated that his proposal aims to amend and abolish problematic provisions of the law that had recently been passed, maintaining, however, basic regulations such as those for assistance dogs and the ban on euthanasia. As he argued, the legislation passed cannot be implemented in practice and will burden consistent citizens, while noting that, despite the tightening of penalties, animal welfare problems are not substantially addressed.
AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros said that the amendments aim to create laws that can be implemented, arguing that the existing legislation "will never be implemented". As he said, AKEL's proposal does not abolish the core of the legislation, but maintains important provisions such as the ban on euthanasia and the mandatory placement of microchips. At the same time, he noted that a provision of incentives for hunters is introduced, such as the registration of up to four dogs without additional fee, stressing that hunters are not the main problem.
DISY MP, Prodromos Alampritis, said that his party supports the proposal of Papagiannis and Orphanidis, as, as he said, it responds to the concerns of organizations and hunters and includes exceptions that are deemed necessary. He argued that the current legislation cannot be implemented as it is today, expressing reservations that AKEL's proposal may not have a substantial effect.
The Member of Parliament of the Ecologists, Charalambos Theopemptou, stated that there are no substantial disagreements in principle, but the main problem is the inability of the State to implement the legislation. He accused the Government and local authorities of inaction, noting that important issues, such as the sale of dogs, have been left unchecked, while he said that animal welfare organizations and volunteers have been exhausted by the situation with strays.
The Parliamentary Representative of AKEL, Giorgos Loukaidis, spoke of the Government's long-standing inaction in the creation of infrastructure, such as shelters, pointing out that local authorities find it difficult to implement the legislation. As he mentioned, the proposal he submitted with Mr. Theopemptou includes targeted corrections, after consultation with hunters, with the main one concerning the annual licensing fee for dogs.
DISY MP, Savia Orfanidou, reminded that her party had requested a postponement of the debate as early as March 26, warning of problems in the implementation of the legislation. As she said, the existing regulation creates issues in legal hunting and makes hunters exposed, adding that the proposal he supports restores the proper functioning of the sector and may pressure local authorities to create shelters. She said that without adequate preparation, the implementation of the legislation can even lead to the killing of stray animals, stressing the need to support local government.
AKEL MP, Marina Nikolaou, argued that the bill could not be postponed, as this would lead to a delay and possible continuation of practices of killing healthy dogs. As she mentioned, after efforts in the Committee, a relevant provision was removed, which she described as anachronistic, while criticizing her colleagues for a hypocritical attitude on social media.
