Leaving your pet dog tied up outside a Spanish supermarket while you nip inside for a quick shop is now a crime, punishable with a hefty fine.
The controversial Law on the Protection of the Rights and Welfare of Animals came into effect on Friday.
Isabel Ayuso, the conservative leader of the regional Madrid government, criticised the new measure, calling it “interventionist” and saying it “treats pet owners as potential criminals”.
The maximum fine for leaving a pet outside a shop is €10,000, but this will vary from region to municipality. Similar fines can be expected for leaving a pet on the balcony of your home or inside an unoccupied vehicle. Cats, apart from those owned by breeders, must now be microchipped and sterilised by
