A new Law on the Protection and Welfare of Animals is being prepared in Macedonia, the provisions of which stipulate that if someone abandons a pet, they will be permanently banned from keeping a new pet. The draft law also provides for a large increase in fines for individuals. Improper care and walking a dog will cost the owner EUR 400, while causing pain, suffering or injury, torture and cruel and inhumane treatment and killing animals will be punished with a fine of EUR 5, 000.
The intention of the Law is to prevent the abandonment of pets, their uncontrolled breeding and trade, as well as to reduce the number of stray dogs on the streets.
The bill also provides for mandatory sterilization of domestic dogs, a ban on the sale and gifting of pets from unregistered breeders, and breeders will have to register new litters with a veterinarian before doing so, as well as to whom they were given. A cat or dog will not be allowed to have more than one litter per year.
