Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The Animal Welfare Law was subject of vigorous debate in the past several months
The Spanish Congress finally approved the amended draft of the controversial and much-debated Law on Animal Welfare and Animal Rights on Thursday, 16 March. The law was initially passed at the beginning of February, but it underwent changes proposed by the Senate.
The final version now regulates animal ownership and grants rights to pets and animals in captivity as “conscious beings”. Nevertheless, following months of debates, certain types of dogs, considered to be professional have been excluded – these are hunting dogs, shepherding dogs and police dogs.
According to the new law, dogs cannot be left unsupervised for more than 24 hours and cats for more than three days, as this is considered cruel and now it will be also illegal.
The Senate removed the proposed obligation of tests for the owners together with their dogs to assess their aptitude to function in the social sphere. Likewise, it will be no longer mandatory for the public administrations to sterilize and put an identifying microchip on each of the cats that make up a feline colony.
Spain will also require pet owners to take out liability insurance for their animals. Cruelty to animals will be punished with fines of up to 200,000 euros or even imprisonment. If a pet is being abused by its owner, the animal will be taken from them and given to an animal shelter.
The ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) who were the initiators of the legislative proposal had already hailed the law as a "historic advance" and argued that it would protect all animals from mistreatment and abandonment despite not specifically addressing hunting dogs.
The Socialists backpedalled in December on regulating hunting dogs, fearing the issue could push rural voters toward right-leaning parties in a general election this year. Spain's hunting industry is worth an estimated 5 billion euros a year and has a powerful lobby.
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The city thinks that it’s time to update pet-related street cleanliness rules for the 21st century
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The benefit will last until the Dutch parliament adopts the transgender law
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team