Pet shops, dolphinariums, circuses … Parliament definitively adopts the law against animal abuse

By a final vote of the almost unanimous Senate, the Parliament adopted definitively, Thursday, November 18, a bill of the presidential majority intended to “fight against animal abuse”. The vote was acquired by 332 votes in favor, one against and 10 abstentions. The text provides in particular for the gradual prohibition of wild animals in traveling circuses and dolphinariums, the end of the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops and tougher penalties for abuse or abandonment.

The near unanimity of parliamentarians was obtained by setting aside several subjects of annoyance. The bill does not address “animal abuse as a whole”, castigated the deputies Olivier Falorni (Liberties and territories) and Bastien Lachaud (La France insoumise), according to whom the hunt in particular “will have been particularly cajoled” during this five-year term.

The range of measures is aimed primarily at pets, “neither toys, nor consumable goods”, recalls the Minister of Agriculture Julien Denormandie. One in two French people own them, but each year some 100,000 animals are abandoned. To avoid impulse buying, a “certificate of commitment and knowledge” will be issued before any acquisition.

Willfully killing a pet will now be an offense. Those convicted of mistreatment will have to follow an awareness training course. Those who will be prohibited from keeping an animal will be entered in the wanted persons file.

The sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores will also be prohibited as of January 1, 2024. The presentation of animals in shop windows will no longer be permitted. And the sale of animals online will be better regulated.