In custody battles in Spain, judges must now consider the welfare of pets.
Spain-The courts must consider the sentiments of animals while deciding custody cases.
Judges must consider the wellbeing of animals when choosing who gets to keep pets if a marriage splits up under new legislation that recognizes animals as sentient. They'll also figure out how to share the price of care amongst feuding ex-partners.
According to an explanation of the law in the Official Gazette, which publishes legislation, the new laws reflect not just the animals' genuine character, but also the type of interactions that are established between them and human people.
The law also makes it easier for heirs to inherit an animal and prevents pets from being taken due to an owner's bad debts.
The law reflects the present prominence of Spain's left, which tends to focus on concerns like as animal welfare and civil rights in a country known for bullfighting. Unidas Podemos, the ruling coalition's junior partner, is supporting draft legislation aimed at ending animal abandonment and preventing their execution without justification.
Food production, cattle, and bullfighting will be exempt from the laws, which will be centered on pets.
Spain's actions underline the importance of pets in some people's lives, with Pope Francis condemning couples who choose dogs to children for being selfish last week.
He stated, We realize that some people do not wish to have a kid. “Sometimes they have one, and that’s it, but they have dogs and cats that take the place of children.”
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