Poland’s lower house of parliament has voted to outlaw the keeping of dogs on chains, in a landmark reform to animal welfare law. The amendment to the Animal Protection Act, passed by 280 votes to 105 with 30 abstentions, will ban the long-term practice that was believed to be still common in rural areas despite previous restrictions.
Until now, the law permitted dogs to be kept tied for up to 12 hours a day, provided the chain was at least three metres long and did not cause suffering. Lawmakers argued, however, that the rules were almost impossible to enforce and largely ignored in practice.
The new legislation, drafted by MPs from the Civic Coalition, introduces a complete ban on keeping dogs permanently tethered. It allows exceptions only in specific circumstances such as walking on a lead, transport, veterinary treatment, training, shows or competitions, and short-term restraint to prevent immediate danger or damage. These exemptions apply solely outside the dog’s permanent place of residence, for example, when an owner briefly ties up a pet outside a shop.
The bill also tightens rules on kennels, defining their minimum size according to a dog’s weight: 10 square metres for animals under 20kg, 15 square metres for those between 20 and 30kg, and 20 square metres for dogs above 30kg. Kennels must be partially roofed and built on solid ground, with extra space required if more than one dog is housed.
An additional amendment obliges owners to ensure that dogs kept in kennels are exercised daily, with the amount of activity suited to their age, health and breed. Special-purpose dogs, such as those used by police or the military, as well as dogs in shelters, will not be subject to the kennel size regulations.
The new rules will come into force 12 months after publication if the President accepts the new law. Presenting the bill, MP Maria Piekarska of the Civic Coalition stressed that public opinion is firmly behind the change, with surveys showing 74 per cent of Poles in favour of banning dogs from being kept on chains. She also warned that education campaigns will be essential to ensure the law is properly respected.
The legislation will now pass to the Senate for further consideration.
Source: PAP
Photo: @BlueBird270956
Tomasz Modrzejewski
