The Four-legged Friend
Among the aspects in which Spain lags behind many countries in Europe is the integration of dogs into the daily social life of humans. In other countries, it is usual to go into some places and see how people enjoy a snack, dinner or a few drinks in the company of their four-legged friend. Also, public transport does not restrict entry with animals, buses and subways are not for the exclusive use of humans.
Europe and the four-legged friend
Good examples of the integration of dogs into the social life of humans are France, Sweden, Belgium and Germany, where you can travel with the animal in public transport no matter how big it is. In Spain, the normal is that there are many restrictions, especially when the animal exceeds 10 kg.
Little by little, we are going to observe some steps being taken towards the incorporation of our pets into daily life. There is a movement called “dog friendly” , so called because there is an increasing number of hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and other establishments that are positioning themselves in favor of a shared life with our faithful friends, without placing too many obstacles.
Limitations to our daily life
When we are usually willing to carry out some activity, we have to choose between going out with our friends, boyfriend, etc., or going with our pet to the park, the countryside, etc. There are two different types of activities. Fortunately, more and more places are joining the list of establishments where owners and dogs are welcome, even offering dogs a nice container of fresh water as a welcome.
Search on social media
On the Internet there are already several pages where you can find information about the places where we can go with our four-legged friend, who admit and treat our dogs well, as well as advice from users and experts to choose the right establishment.
The number of people who decide to have a four-legged friend at home is increasing and, although the number of places where we can leave our friends free to play and run is still very limited in Spain, there are many people who are increasingly struggle to make progress in this regard.
Malaga example
In Malaga City Hall, a Regulation on Animal Welfare and Protection was published, which will update the municipal regulations regarding the integration of dogs in the city’s daily life and which will put into practice the new projects, which the city’s board of directors is working, especially those related to dogs and cats.
Among the most important innovations that this project encompasses is the modification of the regulation, which now allows access with the pet to places where there is no express prohibition, as well as urban buses and the subway.
When this draft phase is passed, the regulation will continue the necessary procedures for its entry into force. It is estimated that it will be available as of January of next year. This regulation is meeting the criteria that the City Hall has been working on lately, so that Malaga is an animal-friendly city, that they are protected by citizens, and also that the city has legislation that brings together all the rights of animals.
Another important measure is the so-called ” genetic census “, which will be an important support to better protect our dogs, as well as teach good practices to owners when removing excrement from the public road, modifying the conditions for animal access company to public establishments, hotels, restaurants, bars, taverns and those other establishments where humans consume drinks and food.
Author: Daisyree Bakker
Some exceptions
Among the exceptions to these advances by the Municipality of Malaga is the case of businesses and establishments dedicated to the preparation, sale, storage, transport or handling of food or beverages, which may expressly prohibit entry with pets.
In the case of public transport, pets will be able to access, together with their owners, the Malaguenha Transport Company (EMT) and the subway, according to the rules and procedures that these companies decide. For Malaga taxis, their holders will be able to individually accept the presence of pets.
