Pet laws are present throughout the world and vary widely depending on which country you’re in. If you live in one country and visit another, be aware that there are some pretty outrageous laws that you could get into trouble over.
No Annoying Pets
Think of heading to Scotland with your canine companion? Be aware that the beautiful country has a curious law that penalizes owners whose pets cause annoyance in public. It is part of the Civic Government Act of 1982
Ugly Faces
If you’re heading through Oklahoma, be careful when staring at a dog. If you decide to make an ugly face at one, there is actually a law that can get you in trouble. This law aims to protect dogs from potential harassment. Be sure to treat all animals with respect!
Passing A Test
Switzerland is quite strict on who can and can’t own pets. If a potential pet owner wants to adopt an animal, they must complete a test proving their competence. For a long time, pet owners also had to complete a mandatory training program, but now it is just recommended for beginner pet owners.
Doggy Daydreaming
In Sweden, dogs that are dropped off in a doggy daycare need to have a window with a sunny view. This is allegedly so that the dogs can “daydream.” All dog daycares must comply with this law in order to practice their business.
Displaying Animals
In Japan, you notice that you can’t visit any pet stores after 8 PM, and this has nothing to do with whether the shop is open or not. Japan law tries to enforce protection acts, which include displaying animals after 8 PM. This is to give the animals some rest and help mitigate stressful situations.
One Dog
It’s common knowledge that China is a large country with an enormous population. This means that for many people living in cities like Beijing, there are laws against households from owning more than one dog. This dog also cannot be larger than 18 inches tall.
Tying Pets Up
We’ve all seen pets being tied up outside of stores while their owners quickly head inside, but in Spain, the government doesn’t condone this action, and anyone who breaks this law could find themselves facing financial penalties or even jail time. This is to protect dogs from potential neglect and abuse.
Animal Cruelty
South Africa has the Animal Protection Act of 1962 which prohibits anyone, even owners, from neglecting their dogs or performing any act that’s considered animal cruelty. The law tries to underscore how important the treatment of animals are.
Have To Be Supervised
Another part of South Africa’s Animal Protection Act states that in some regions dogs must be supervised by their owners at all times. This law prevents accidents happening and unsupervised dogs getting into altercations with other dogs or people.
Pet Passports
A proposed law in the United Kingdom has pet owners needing to get their pets passport in order to take them to different regions. This has sparked controversy, as many feel it’s too controlling. The law would ensure that pets that travel are vaccinated and healthy.
Sectional Title Units
Another South African law stipulates that some sectional title owners or renters may not have pets. Potential renters or homeowners must be careful when looking for a sectional title unit. These laws can be disputed in court if the pet owner feels it’s unreasonable.
Keeping Goldfish In Bowls
In 2005, a law was put into place in Rome, Italy, to prohibit pet owners from keeping their goldfish in bowls. This practice is an old and popular one, but it is considered cruel. The law is trying to give a better quality of life to goldfish.
