Mykolaiv may introduce compulsory registration of pets

Mykolaiv may introduce compulsory registration of pets. Illustrative photo: NikVesti

There is currently no mandatory registration of pets in Mykolaiv, but the city plans to update the rules governing their ownership. Once the changes are implemented, mandatory registration may be introduced, at least for dogs.

This was announced by Oleksandra Kupinets, director of the «Animal Protection Centre», during a live broadcast on Tuesday, 19 May, according to NikVesti.

According to her, there is currently no law regulating compulsory registration, but there are two other laws: one on the protection of animals from cruelty and one on the identification and registration of pets. Based on these laws, local authorities may introduce compulsory registration of pets within their jurisdiction.

«Unfortunately, mandatory registration is not yet in force in Mykolaiv, but the rules on keeping pets within our city are currently being updated, as they were last revised back in 2012 and are in dire need of updating in line with current legislation. I therefore very much hope that, following the changes to the rules and the introduction of certain amendments, our city will indeed introduce mandatory registration of pets, at the very least for dogs, and ideally for cats as well. This is an important step, first and foremost, for the protection of animals,» explained Oleksandra Kupinets.

She added that registering animals would make it possible to hold people accountable who break the law, abandon animals or treat them cruelly.

«Therefore, I think this will not deter conscientious owners; on the contrary, it will allow them to confirm their rights to the animal and simplify the search if the animal goes missing or is stolen. This will give both you and the animals more rights, as they will already be full participants in legal relations,» said Oleksandra Kupinets.

As a reminder, 30 stray dogs were caught in Voznesensk over two days recently for neutering and microchipping.

It was previously reported that cases of dog poisoning have been recorded in Voznesensk. The city council has called on residents to treat animals humanely.

Read also the article by NikVesti on how animals are coping with the war in frontline Mykolaiv.