Sale in animal shops, dolphinariums, traveling circuses … Parliament definitively adopts the law against animal abuse

By a final vote of the almost unanimous Senate, the Parliament definitively adopted Thursday, November 18 a bill emblematic of the presidential majority for “fight against animal abuse”. The vote was acquired by 332 votes in favor, one against and 10 abstentions. On the menu of this vast text are the progressive 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”, lambasted the deputies Olivier Falorni (Liberties and territories) and Bastien Lachaud (LFI), 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.

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

In terms of strengthening penal sanctions, the fact of deliberately killing a pet will be an offense and no longer a simple contravention. 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.