Portugal’s People-Animals-Nature party wants people and animals to have the right to share nature at the beach, and is pushing a law to give pets full rights on all of the country’s beaches.
Presently, there are only six beaches where pooches are welcome, and there are fines of up to €2500 for walking dogs on other beaches. But the PAN party says that the current situation “is not in line with the advances and understandings of society and the way it views pets.”
PAN says that about 56% of families have pets and that these “are perceived as contributing to the physical and psychological well-being of their owners. Since they are seen as an integral part of the family, they should also be able to accompany their family in their activities.”
The law, which may be more popular than the very small party that’s proposed it, would require owners to be present and to keep the pets leashed. It also calls for adding waste disposal areas and hydration points for pets at the shore.
