Spain makes pets legal family members: Now, who will keep family cat or dog in the case of a divorce?
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The is law targeted to prevent the legal wrangling that often erupts among estranged couples over who keeps the pets
After a new law came into effect in Spain on Wednesday (January 5), pets in the country will be recognised as living and sentient beings for the first time and not as mere objects.
Now, at the time of divorce or separation, besides considering family needs, animal's welfare will be an important factor to be discussed by the family court when deciding who looks after the dog, cat, goldfish, turtle or bird.
Spain is not the first country to do so, some other European countries that recognise animals as sentient beings are France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Portugal.
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In Spain, the legislation was drafted by a junior member in the coalition government, Unidas Podemos. He has had a draft animal welfare law prepared since October.
The law aimed to prevent the possibility of a legal fight between estranged couples over who keeps the pets.
As per the law, owners must "guarantee" the pet's well-being and that if either spouse has a history of cruelty to animals he or she may be refused or lose custody of the animal.
The law, which amends Spain's civil code, also requires courts to consider the animal's welfare when settling disputes over who inherits a pet.
El Pais reported that the changes are now in force under Spanish law. The modification is done in three pieces of legislation - the Civil Code, the Mortgage Act and the Civil Procedural Act.
As quoted by Reuters, lawyer Lola Garcia, 42, said, "Animals are part of the family and when a family decides to separate, the fate of the animal must be regulated with the same importance as the fate of other family members."
Importantly, the law which amends Spain's civil code also requires courts to consider the animal's welfare when settling disputes over who inherits a pet.
(With inputs from agencies)