TenerifeGran CanariaLa PalmaLa GomeraEl HierroLanzaroteFuerteventuraÁrea Metropolitana de Santa Cruz - La LagunaAcentejoValle de La OrotavaIcodDauteSuroeste de TenerifeAbonaValle de GüímarÁrea Metropolitana de Las PalmasCentro Norte de Gran CanariaNoroeste de Gran CanariaOeste de Gran CanariaSuroeste de Gran CanariaSureste de Gran CanariaLa Palma CapitalinaValle de AridaneNoroeste de La PalmaNoreste de La PalmaLa Gomera NorteLa Gomera SurEl Hierro (comarca)Lanzarote NorteLanzarote EsteLanzarote SuroesteFuerteventura NorteFuerteventura CentroFuerteventura SurTenerifeGran CanariaLa PalmaLa GomeraEl HierroLanzaroteFuerteventuraÁrea Metropolitana de Santa Cruz - La LagunaAcentejoValle de La OrotavaIcodDauteSuroeste de TenerifeAbonaValle de GüímarÁrea Metropolitana de Las PalmasCentro Norte de Gran CanariaNoroeste de Gran CanariaOeste de Gran CanariaSuroeste de Gran CanariaSureste de Gran CanariaLa Palma CapitalinaValle de AridaneNoroeste de La PalmaNoreste de La PalmaLa Gomera NorteLa Gomera SurEl Hierro (comarca)Lanzarote NorteLanzarote EsteLanzarote SuroesteFuerteventura NorteFuerteventura CentroFuerteventura Sur
ES|EN
La Voz Canaria logo

La Voz Canaria

Keeping dogs and cats on balconies and terraces habitually is prohibited

The new Animal Welfare Law establishes fines of up to 50,000 euros for permanently keeping pets in inadequate spaces.

Generic image of a dog and a cat on a balcony.
IA

Generic image of a dog and a cat on a balcony.

The Animal Protection Law 7/2023 prohibits the habitual keeping of dogs and cats on terraces, balconies, rooftops, patios, or vehicles, with fines up to 50,000 euros.

Habitually keeping dogs and cats on terraces, balconies, rooftops, storage rooms, basements, patios, or vehicles is prohibited by Law 7/2023, on the protection of animal rights and welfare, which came into effect in 2023. The rule does not prevent animals from being in these spaces occasionally, but it does prohibit them from becoming their usual place of residence.
Article 27 of the law expressly states that it is prohibited to “habitually keep dogs and cats on terraces, balconies, rooftops, storage rooms, basements, patios, and similar spaces or vehicles”. This obligation is part of the set of measures included in the state regulations to govern responsible pet ownership.
The prohibition applies to situations where these spaces are used as a habitual place for the animal, especially if they remain isolated, tethered, or without access to the interior of the dwelling. The law also states that companion animals cannot be left unsupervised for more than three consecutive days, a period reduced to 24 hours for dogs.
Furthermore, the regulation establishes general obligations for owners or guardians of companion animals, including maintaining them in adequate living conditions, ensuring their well-being, and preventing situations that may cause them suffering, stress, or physical harm. The legal context for this regulation stems from the recognition of animals as living beings endowed with sentience, a consideration incorporated into the Civil Code following the reform approved by Law 17/2021.
Non-compliance with this prohibition can lead to financial penalties. Law 7/2023 considers it a serious offense to permanently keep dogs or cats on terraces, balconies, rooftops, storage rooms, basements, patios, and similar spaces or vehicles. Serious infractions are punishable by fines ranging from 10,001 to 50,000 euros. In more severe cases, when the facts constitute a very serious infraction, sanctions can range from 50,001 to 200,000 euros.
In addition to fines, the regulations allow for accessory measures such as the intervention of the animal, mandatory completion of animal welfare training courses, or disqualification from owning animals. For serious infractions, disqualification can last up to five years, and for very serious ones, between five and ten years.

Related News