The almost 3,000 signatories of the petition argue that “this situation presents great difficulties for caregivers/protectors, who naturally cannot stand to see hungry animals wandering the streets, but by feeding them may be violating a municipal rule whose violation implies the imposition of a fine.”
Those backing the petition, launched last weekend, warn of incongruities in law no. 27/2016, which allows municipalities that are following a RED (Removal – Sterilisation/ Vaccination/Deworming – Release) model of dealing with stray animals to also impose a ban on feeding them in the streets, whether controlled colonies or not.
“We consider it fundamental that national legislation be adopted to prevent such a ban on behalf of municipalities and, on the other hand, to regulate how the act of feeding animals on the streets must be done in order to avoid situations that could jeopardise public health. But above all else, we cannot allow animals to starve”, the petitioners write.
Lisbon is cited as an example, where solid waste regulations establish that “to provide any type of food on streets and other public spaces, or even in private areas which may attract wild animals or animals that live in a semi-urban environment, causing public ill-health, is liable to a fine of one-twentieth to one-fifth of the national minimum wage.”