Cruel breeding of pets will be banned – this is the core of an amendment to the Animal Protection Act, which was adopted by the ÖVP and the Greens in the National Council on Thursday. There will also be a mandatory certificate of competence for keeping dogs, amphibians, reptiles and parrots.
Health Minister Rauch (Greens) stated that torture is “animal abuse”. The accompanying committee will clarify what is meant by torture. In essence, it is breeding that emphasises characteristics of animals that are considered particularly popular. However, these can be painful for the animals. The novella is against this.
For example, the proposal stipulates that the responsible department head can, by means of regulations, completely exclude from breeding breeds that are particularly affected by torture breeding symptoms. In addition, breeders will need a permit if certain thresholds are exceeded. This becomes significant if more than two litters of puppies or three litters of kittens are released per year.
Mandatory proof of expertise for keeping animals
Furthermore, from 1 July 2026, there will be a mandatory certificate of expertise for keeping dogs, amphibians, reptiles and parrots, which must be proven by following a course of at least four teaching units. For dogs, an additional two-hour practical session is required.
The ban on taking dogs abroad to perform procedures that are prohibited in Austria is extended to all animals. Anyone who separates animals from their mothers before the species-specific weaning age, acquires them or has them acquired by another animal, is also liable to prosecution. This also applies if the acquisition takes place abroad.
“We help the animals and the responsible breeders.” In addition, keeping buffaloes and camels in circuses, for example, will also be banned, says Green Animal Welfare spokeswoman Faika El-Nagashi enthusiastically.
SPÖ misses the end of fully grid floors
The opposition was unhappy about the change in the law, even though the SPÖ, FPÖ and NEOS stressed that they were of course also against torture. However, freedom activist Alois Kainz did not see that the objections of breeders and owners were taken into account. The SPÖ did not see an end to fully slatted floors in pig farming and criticized the fact that too much regulation was introduced through ministerial regulations. NEOS mandate Katharina Werner criticized the fact that, under pressure from the farmers’ association, different rules apply to pets than to farm animals.
The coalition representatives were satisfied, however. VP Farmers’ Association Josef Hechenberger was pleased that after the “ideologically influenced” original proposal, a good foundation had now been laid together with the breeding organizations. He told the other parties: “Every party that does not agree with the law is in favor of torture.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
