The Food and Veterinary Service is proposing a ban on tying dogs to their kennels and leaving them alone
The State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) is proposing a ban on tying dogs up outside their kennels and leaving pets alone for long periods.
“We propose that dogs should not be kept on a lead at all times; and that tethering should only be permitted in cases where, for example, an enclosure or a room is being cleaned and it is necessary to prevent the animal from escaping“,” – Kristina Ulienė, Head of the Animal Welfare Division at the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT), told the M1 radio station’s news service.
She pointed out that there is currently a ban on breeders keeping dogs permanently tethered, whilst this is not mandatory for private individuals.
According to the expert, the European Parliament’s regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats emphasises that long-term tethering poses significant animal welfare issues and restricts their natural behaviour, and may lead to both physical and mental disorders.
“As pets are social animals, we want to move towards the Western approach so that this ban is enforced,” – said K. Ulienė.
The State Food and Veterinary Service has approached the Ministry of the Environment to propose that the Animal Welfare and Protection Act include a requirement that dogs, wherever they may be, must not be kept permanently tethered.
According to K. Ulienė, it is also proposed that the Act specify the length of time a pet may be left alone, without supervision.
“During inspections, our officers come across cases where they find dogs living alone on farmsteads. It is found that the owner only visits every few days. There are various cases where both water and food are left, and there is shelter, but leaving them for several days causes us concern. After all, a pet is regarded almost as a member of the family, so we propose that this (limiting the duration of such abandonment – BNS) be enshrined in law,” said the specialist.
According to her, specialists from the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT), together with researchers from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, have drawn up guidelines for assessing cruelty to animals. These guidelines state that a pet should not be left unattended for longer than a day.
This is not the first proposal to ban the practice of keeping dogs permanently tethered in Lithuania.
BNS reported that the Seimas rejected such an initiative in April 2024. At the time, a group of MPs proposed allowing dogs to be kept on a lead for no longer than two hours, whilst taking them for a walk, whilst cleaning equipment or premises, and in other such circumstances.
In some European countries, keeping animals on a lead is prohibited or permitted only on a temporary basis.
