Police to Gain Authority to Fine Owners of Aggressive Dogs Under New Bill
MOSCOW – Russian police will soon have the power to issue fines to dog owners who violate regulations regarding animal control, following a bill authored by Yaroslav Nilov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs. The legislation, currently under consideration, aims to address the increasing number of dog attacks reported across the contry.
Currently, reports of dog attacks on both adults and children are a near-daily occurrence in Russian news. the bill proposes amending existing laws to allow police officers – particularly district officers familiar with their local areas – to draw up reports for violations of the “Non-compliance with the requirements for keeping animals” article of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. This includes instances of dogs being walked without leashes or muzzles, and allowing “self-walking.”
Nilov argues that, as the police are responsible for maintaining public order, oversight of perilous dog ownership falls within their purview.He explains in an explanatory note to the document that mandatory punishment “will help prevent crime,” and that the bill’s purpose is to enhance security in public spaces like courtyards, squares, and parking lots.
the proposed changes reflect regulations already in place in some European countries, where dog owners may be required to complete animal handling courses and face fines or even criminal charges for violations.The State Duma has also previously discussed potential limits on the number of pets allowed per household, suggesting a maximum of one animal per 18 square meters of living space.
Nilov, in a post to his Telegram channel, emphasized that aggression from fighting dogs in public, and also neglecting leash and muzzle requirements, constitute violations of pet ownership norms. He assures the bill is designed to strengthen safety for citizens.
