Animal Welfare Regulations - Dog

Agricultural Information 2 – 2011 in the translated version from Swedish (Jordbruksinformation 2 – 2011) About the animal welfare be given to the dog’s age and regulations health. In this brochure you can read about »» Dogs that are permanently how to take care of your dog. We kept in exercise yards must are not providing information on all be walked daily at another animal welfare regulations, only the location. most important rules and frequently asked questions. The complete re- »» Dogs may not be kept tied up gulations can be downloaded from indoors. Outdoors, dogs may the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s only be tied up for a maximum website. of two hours per day.

Your animals depend on you to »» Dogs may not be kept in follow the animal welfare regula- cages except on special oc- tions. The regulations establish a casions (at exhibitions, com- minimum level and outline the core petitions and examinations, requirements that must be fulfilled training for a competition, in for your dog to feel well and be conjunction with hunting and able to behave in a natural way. transport). »» The tables that specify the New rules regulated dimension for dog Since 1 May 2008, there are yards and boxes, determine several new rules for keeping a the dog’s withers height. dog, including the following: Animal welfare for dogs »» You or someone else must You must treat your dog well and attend to your dogs at least protect it from unnecessary suf- twice a day. Young, sick or fering and disease. Your dog must injured animals must be atten- be kept and cared for in a good en- ded to more frequently. vironment and in a way that is good for the animal’s health and allows it »» Dogs must have their need for the opportunity to behave naturally. social contact satisfied.

»» Dogs that are kept indoors Dogs must have their need for must regularly be walked out- social contact satisfied. You can side and consideration must provide social contact through

2 the company of other dogs, cats The spaces where the dog is or people. Contact with people housed must also be kept satisfac- should take place a few hours each torily clean. day through activation, exercise or other occupation. Animals that are unfamiliar with each other must not be brought If your dog becomes ill or injured, together in enclosed spaces you should urgently ensure that the unattended. Aggressive animals animal receives the necessary care. must never be brought together in enclosed spaces. Dogs may not be It is important that you keep your pitted against each other or against dog satisfactorily clean and that other animals. you take care of its coat.

3 Caring for dogs reasons for doing so. Dogs are typical herd animals If you have a puppy that is under four and should have company during months old, you can only leave it most hours of the day. Social alone for short periods. Furthermore, contact with people is particularly puppies that are younger than six important. Contact with people months may only be tied up for short for a few hours each day through periods. activation, exercise or other occu- It is not appropriate for puppies pation is a good way to satisfy your under six months to be kept in dog’s social needs. quarantine.

PUPPIES FOOD AND WATER As long as puppies need their Every day you should give your dog mother’s milk and care, they may good quality food. The food must en- not be separated from her other sure that your dog receives adequa- than temporarily, and not before 8 te and balanced nutrition. You must weeks of age. In addition, puppies also make sure that your dog does may not leave the breeder before not become over- or underweight. they are at least eight weeks of If several animals are fed together, age, unless there are special ensure that all of them have the

4 opportunity to eat in peace without Can my dog run free? being disturbed by each other. Between 1 March and 20 August, If you keep your dog indoors, it you must keep your dog under such must have access to drinking water. supervision that it is prevented For dogs that are constantly kept from running free where there may in an exercise yard, make sure the be wildlife. During the rest of the dog gets lukewarm water at least year you must keep an eye on the twice a day. Do it in such a way dog and prevent it from pursuing or that ensures that it does not imme- harassing wildlife, unless the dog is diately freeze, if the dog does not used for hunting. It is stated in the have access to water from a frost Hunting Ordinance, when hunting free water hydrant or similar. with unleashed dogs is permitted. In some areas, such as nature re- WALKING serves, there may be stricter leash Daily exercise and regular walking requirements for dogs. is essential for all dogs. TETHERING If you keep your dog indoors, you You may not tie your dog up indo- need to regularly walk it outdoors, ors. If you need to subdue an unruly taking into account the dog’s age dog, you can keep it on a leash for and health. Dogs should be walked a while. at least every six hours during the day, and more often for puppies Outdoors, you may not keep your and older dogs. It is not advisable dog tied up permanently. This also for dogs to be left alone for a whole applies when using a running line. day without being walked until the You are allowed to briefly tether a owner comes home at the end of dog outdoors, but not for more than the day. It is important that for dog two hours per day, and then only in owners to solve the walking issue such a way which cannot harm the in a satisfactory manner. dog. Puppies under six months may only be tethered for short periods. Dogs that are permanently kept in a dog yard must be walked Dogs may not be tied to the elsewhere in order for them to get vehicle, unless a special tethering out of the dog yard at least once a device is used to prevent the ve- day. hicle leaving the premises until the

5 tethering device is removed. Dogs collar is a collar that gives the dog must not be walked or trained with electric shocks. A prong collar is a the help of a car. collar with barbs that reinforce the effect of the collar. MUZZLE Tight-fitting muzzles that prevent ELECTRIC FENCING dogs from heavy panting may only Invisible electric fences must not be used temporarily. When a dog be used for dogs. Invisible electric engages in heavy panting, this me- fencing refers to a buried cable that ans that it pants up to 200 to 400 forms a boundary. When the dog times per minute. The dog does crosses the boundary it receives an this to cool down the body since it electric shock through, for example, cannot sweat. a special collar with a receiver.

SHOCK COLLAR AND PRONG Visible electric fencing may be COLLAR used for dogs if the fenced-off area Shock collars and prong collars is sufficiently large. Visible elec- may not be used on dogs. A shock tric fencing refers to fencing that

6 delivers an electric shock when the a good animal environment and in animal comes in direct contact with a way that is good for their health the fence. and provides them the opportunity to behave naturally. The fittings and To be allowed to use visible electric equipment in dog areas must not fencing, the area enclosed by the risk injury to your dog or otherwise fence must be at least 50 times pose a risk to the animal’s health. greater than the minimum dimen- Therefore fittings that can harm the sions permitted for an exercise animal must be fitted with suitable yard for a dog with a withers height protection. below 45 centimeters. Dogs with a withers height above 45 centi- Rooms and other spaces where meters require an area of at least you dog is kept must be adapted to 800 m2, in order for visible electric the number of animals being kept fencing to be used. in the space. All dogs must have access to a dry, clean and soft Areas for dogs place to lie down. All animals must Dogs must be kept and cared for in also be able to lie down in a natural

7 position. Dogs should also be given Enclosed spaces for dogs should the opportunity to be able to bed be designed so they are easy to in- down. Lactating bitches must have spect as well as clean and disinfect. access to a quiet and undisturbed place for themselves and the WINDOWS AND LIGHTING puppies. Spaces for dogs must have a win- dow to let in natural light. They must The dimensions that are specified also be equipped with lighting that for exercise yards, boxes or other is regulated and directed so that enclosed spaces are minimum the animals kept in the room are not measurements. The spaces may subjected to discomfort. preferably be bigger but never smaller than the specified measure- SPECIFIC AREAS ments in each table. In larger facilities for dogs there should be specific areas provided ENVIRONMENT for: If you keep your dog indoors, the areas must be ventilated and »» feeding and feed management insulated so that the space main- »» bathing and tending to the tains a temperature and humidity animals that is suitable for the animals kept there. The indoor temperature in »» isolating and caring for sick dog kennels should be +10–21 °C animals depending on the age and breed. Old and very young dogs usually FIRE SAFETY need the ambient temperature to In dog kennels, there must be opp- be a little warmer. ortunities to save the animals in the Dogs may only temporarily be expo- event of fire. sed to air pollutants which exceed the following values: EXERCISE YARD In outdoor exercise yards for dogs, »» ammonia 10 ppm (parts per there must be different places for million) the dog to spend time in during different weather conditions. The dog »» carbon dioxide 3,000 ppm must be able to choose a place in the sun, in the shade or under the

8 shelter of a roof during rain and If two dogs of different sizes are snow. There must also be a place kept in the same exercise yard, the to lie down which is elevated from size of the yard must be calculated the ground, at least by 0.5 meter. for two dogs of the larger size ac- Small breeds and dogs with redu- cording to the table. ced mobility must have a gangway or stairs to access this resting If there are additional dogs of dif- place if they are not able to jump ferent sizes kept in the same yard, up themselves. The dog must also the area must at least be increased have access to an indoor space according to the following: adjacent to the exercise yard, or to a doghouse that protects the dog 1. The smallest and the big- against wind and weather. gest dog are counted as two dogs of the biggest size, in If you keep your dogs in an exercise accordance with the table yard permanently, ensure that there above. is environmental enrichment for the dogs. You also need to remember 2. Additional dogs are to that dogs should be walked outside increase this area according the dog yard at least once a day. to the last row in the table.

The table shows the minimum Further regulations regarding exer- dimensions for exercise yards, cise yards are found on the Board of depending on the number and size Agriculture’s website. of dogs kept there.

Size of dog exercise yards (m²)

Number The dog’s withers height of dogs <25 cm 25–35 cm 36–45 cm 46–55 cm 56–65 cm > 65 cm 1 6 10 15 16 18 20 2 8 14 18 20 24 28 For each additional dog the area 4 6 8 10 12 14 must be increased by

9 10 BOXES If additional dogs of different sizes In kennels or the like, the walls are kept in the same box, the area between the boxes must have sight must at least be increased accor- barriers at least half the length of ding to the following: the dividing wall. The sight barriers allow the dogs seclusion from other 1. The smallest and the dogs. The box construction should biggest dog are counted also allow some level of visual con- as two dogs of the biggest tact between the dogs. size, according to the table.

The table shows the minimum 2. Additional dogs are to in- dimensions for boxes, depending crease this area according on the number and size of dogs to the last row in the table. kept there. Boxes must be of normal ceiling height. Further regulations regarding boxes are found on the Board of If two dogs of different sizes are Agriculture’s website. kept in the same box, the size of the box must be calculated for two dogs of the larger size in accordance with the table above.

Size of boxes (m²)

Number The dog’s withers height of dogs <25 cm 25–35 cm 36–45 cm 46–55 cm 56–65 cm > 65 cm 1 2 2 2,5 3,5 4,5 5,5 2 2 2,5 3,5 4,5 6 7,5 For each additional dog the area 1 1 2 2 3 3 must be increased by

11 NURSERY BOX DOGHOUSE A doghouse must be insulated The minimum measurements for and well ventilated. It must be able nursery boxes. to protect against wind, direct The bitch’s withers Box’s size (m2) sunlight, rain, cold and damp. The height (cm) doghouse should be equipped with < 25 2 a windbreaker or shield so that the 25–30 3 wind cannot blow straight into the 30–40 4 house. 40–50 6 50–60 8 The table shows the minimum 60–65 9 dimensions of the interior at the > 65 10 ground level in doghouses for one dog.

12 If several dogs are using the same Dogs are allowed to be kept over- doghouse, it must be big enough night in transport containment when for all dogs to lie down in a natural being transported to and from com- position at the same time. petition and training sites. Then you must be extra careful to ensure that Doghouse size the dog can rest safe and secure Length Width Height in the transport containment. The The dog’s length, The the dog must have sufficient water, food from the point of dog’s dog’s and air, but must also be protected its nose to the withers withers from, for example, heat and noise. In insertion of its height height tail multiplied by (m) mul- (m) mul- this situation, special consideration least 1,1. tiplied tiplied should be given to security at the by 1,1. by 1,2. overnight location.

CAGES More information about cage stora- Dogs may not be kept in cages ge, spatial dimensions and transport aside from on specific occasions. rules is available on the Board of »» During exhibitions, competi- Agriculture’s website. tions and examinations, as well as during training for competi- Transport of dogs tions. The cages must then be Your dog must be transported in a covered on at least two sides safe manner. Animals must not be at and the dogs must be walked risk of harm or suffering during trans- at least every two hours. port. The means of transport you use to transport your animals must be »» In connection with hunting, appropriate for the purpose. dogs may be kept in cages for a maximum of eight hours per When transporting animals, you day if they are walked at least must ensure that the animals are every three hours. protected against heat and cold, »» Dogs may be kept in a cage and against impact, abrasion and during transport. However, this the like. If the dog is transported in a storage period may not exceed container or cage, this must be de- three hours when the car is signed and positioned in such a way standing still. that the animal is afforded shade and good ventilation.

13 Dogs may only be transported be able to lie down and in a passenger car boot if you turn around freely can attend to your dog from the Height: the top of the dog’s passenger space during the dura- head when standing in an tion of the transport. Measures upright position. The roof’s should be taken to secure the ani- height cannot be more mals during braking. Therefore, the than five per cent shorter animals should be transported in a than the specified length secure travel cage or, in the case measurement. of dogs, in a specially adapted seatbelt. »» If several dogs are transported in one cage, the width increase »» Dogs may not be left unatten- for each dog must be that of ded in a vehicle when the tem- the largest dog’s chest width. perature in the cargo space »» During transport, the dog must can be feared to exceed be walked and offered water +25°C or drop below -5°C. at least every six hours and be »» Dogs must not be kept perma- fed with no less than 24-hour nently in a means of transport. intervals.

»» Each dog must have the fol- »» Bitches in heat must be trans- lowing minimum space, when ported separately from male transported in a container or dogs. cage used for transporting a »» Apart from in the event of dog in a passenger car: urgently transporting an injured Length: the dog’s length, or sick animal to the vet, you measured from the point may not transport: of its nose to the insertion of its tail when standing pregnant dogs during the in a normal position, is two weeks preceding the multiplied by at least 1.10 expected date of delivery times if the transport distance Width: the dog’s chest exceeds 50 kilometers width multiplied by at least puppies younger than one 2.5 times. The dog must week

14 bitches during the first ported short distances (under week after birthing. 2 hours) and then work or exercise, may be transported The complete rules on the trans- in a space with these minimum port of animals can be found on the dimensions: Board of Agriculture’s website. In addition to the rules mentio- length: at least 0.9 meter ned above for dogs, the following width: at least 0.6 meter applies for the transport of dogs height: at least 0.7 meter in commercial transportation or during regular transport in a profes- »» However, the dog must always sional capacity. be able to lie down in a com- fortable manner. »» Vehicles intended for use in »» For other dogs, the regular the commercial transport of space requirements for dog dogs, or for the regular trans- transport apply: port of dogs in a professional capacity, must have space »» Length: the dog’s length mea- specifically designed for dogs. sured from the point of its nose to the insertion of its tail when »» The area must be separated standing in a normal position, from the passenger space is multiplied by at least 1.10 with bars or mesh. times »» The space must be shiel- »» Width: the dog’s chest width ded against sunlight and be multiplied by at least 2.5 times. mechanically ventilated with a The dog must be able to lie fan that works even when the down and turn around freely. vehicle’s engine is turned off. »» Height: the top of the dog’s »» Evacuation must be pos- head when standing in an sible through more than one upright position. escape route without inconve- nience or delay. »» If several dogs are transported in one cage, the width increase »» Working dogs, such as for each dog must be that of service dogs and draught the largest dog’s chest width. dogs, which are only trans-

15 More information about the profes- »» lacks the ability to propagate sional transport of dogs is availa- naturally ble on the Board of Agriculture’s website. A bitch should not be paired until at least her second fertility period Dog breeding and not earlier than 18 months of When breeding dogs, considera- age. Forced pairing may not occur. tion must be given to the anatomi- A bitch that has given birth twice by cal, physiological and behavioural caesarean section may not be used characteristics which may put the again for breeding. health and wellbeing of the mother or offspring at risk. The complete rules on dog breed ing can be found on the Board of The Swedish breeding regulation Agriculture’s website. clarifies what is acceptable in terms of animal welfare when it comes Surgical procedures on dogs to breeding dogs. It also provides If your dog needs to undergo a support for the control programmes surgical procedure, this should that deal with hereditary defects, be done by a veterinarian. Other which are currently implemented at treatments that are performed to many breeder clubs. alleviate or cure disease should also be carried out by a veterinarian if Breeding that could cause suffe- the treatment can cause the animal ring to your dog is prohibited. The suffering. dog may not be used for breeding if it, for example: The general rule is that an operation can only be done if it is necessary »» has a disease or disability that for medical reasons. This means, can be inherited for example, that it is not allowed to surgically remove the vocal cords of »» carries or is likely to carry cer- a dog to prevent it from barking. It is tain genetic predispositions to not permitted to make holes in the disease ears of a dog for the purpose of, for »» has behavioural problems example, earrings. Tail docking and such as excessive fear or ear cropping is not allowed unless it unprovoked aggression is justified for medical reasons.

16 There are some procedures that The dog owner must also register are exceptions from the ban. These their ownership in a central national include the neutering of pets and register. The Board of Agriculture ID marking with, for example, a administers the Central Dog Regis- microchip or tattoo. These proce- ter (Centrala hundregistret). dures are allowed but must be performed by veterinarians or specially All dogs brought in from abroad trained persons. must be ID marked, among other things. From 3 July 2011, a micro- Identification marking of dogs chip is the only approved method According to the Act on Supervi- of ID marking for animals traveling sion of Dogs and Cats, dogs must within the EU. A tattoo will still be be ID marked and registered to an an accepted method of ID marking owner. for animals that will stay in Sweden.

The Act covers all dogs that per- More information about identifica- manently reside in the country. The tion marking and the import of Act means that a dog owner must dogs is available on the Board of ID mark their dog with a microchip Agriculture’s website. or tattoo so that it can be identified.

17 Permits for activities involving The responsibility for having the dogs necessary permits is always on the You may in certain cases need a operator. You are required to make permit from the County Adminis- sure that the keeping of animals trative Board to conduct an activity complies with current regulations. involving dogs. Dog hotels and Those that have not applied for a dog daycare centres are some permit are in violation of the Animal examples or activities that require Welfare Act and risk receiving a a permit. Breeders and other dog notification of prosecution. owners that have many dogs may also be subject to permit require- More information about per- ments. mits is available on the Board of Agriculture’s website. A permit is required for a person who SALE AND RAFFLE »» has 10 or more dogs older Dogs may not be sold in pet shops, than 12 months at markets or the like. Nor may they be used as prizes in raffles, con- »» breeds 3 or more litters per tests or similar. year

»» hires out 3 or more dogs per If the rules are not followed year (e.g. hiring out of draught If you do not comply with the ani- dogs or guard dogs) mal welfare regulations, the control authorities, i.e. the County Admi- »» sells dogs from 3 or more nistrative Board’s animal welfare homebred litters per year inspector or the police, can impose injunctions and prohibitions. The »» sells 3 or more dogs per County Administrative Boards can year from another’s breeding decide to take animals into custody operation and can impose bans on keep- »» looks after or feeds 4 or more ing and caring for animals. If you dogs (e.g. dog daycare centre intentionally or negligently violate and dog hotels) the animal welfare regulations, you can be fined or imprisoned for up »» professionally hires out, two years. breeds, sells, looks after or feeds dogs.

18 Legislation »» The Swedish Board of The brochure is a summary of the Agriculture’s regulations Animal Welfare Act, the Animal (SJVF 2009:85) on surgi- Welfare Ordinance and regulations cal procedures as well as and general advice on dogs and obligations of keepers and cats. If you wish to read the com- staff within animal health and plete rules, they can be found in: medical care. »» The Swedish Board of »» The Animal Welfare Act (SFS Agriculture’s regulations (SJ- 1988:534) VFS 2008:41) on the identi- »» The Animal Welfare Ordinan- fication marking and registra- ce (SFS 1988:539) tion of dogs

»» The Act (2007:1150) on Su- pervision of Dogs and Cats You can find the statutes at www.jordbruksverket.se »» The Ordinance (2007:1240) on Supervision of Dogs

»» The Swedish Board of Agriculture’s regulations and general advice (SJVFS 2008:5) on the keeping of dogs and cats

»» The Swedish Board of Agriculture’s regulations and general advice (SJVFS 2010:2) regarding the transport of live animals

»» The Animal Welfare Agency’s (Djurskyddsmyndigheten) regulations (DFS 2004:5) on permit requirements under Section 16 of the Animal Wel- fare Act

19 Contact us: To submit reports, questions or statements, contact:

Telephone: An animal welfare officer is available at our service number 010-225 30 30 week days from 9.00–12.00 E-mail: [email protected]

Utgiven av: Länsstyrelsen Jämtlands län 2016 Löpnummer: 2016:22 Tryck: Länsstyrelsens tryckeri 2016 Foto: Länsstyrelsen Jämtlands län, Marie Birkl Diarienummer: 282-2632-2016 och Mostphotos.com

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