The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has repealed a rule that prohibited the introduction of animals into civil defense shelters. According to a report by animal protection organization UAnimals, this means that dogs and cats are now allowed to be brought into the shelters.
In December of last year, after a scandal in Kyiv, when two children and their dog were not allowed into a shelter during the explosions, UAnimals lawyers appealed to the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a proposal to update the regulations governing this situation.
According to the official report of the Ukrainian Herald, on January 10, 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs lifted the ban on bringing animals into shelters. According to the new order, persons bringing animals must be housed in separate rooms or isolated places, constantly monitor their animals, and adhere to sanitary standards to ensure the safety of other people and property. UAnimals emphasizes that restrictions on access to the shelter with an animal are now excluded.
The owner of a pet or the person accompanying it shall ensure:
- constant supervision of pets;
- necessary conditions that correspond to the biological, species and individual characteristics of the pet;
- the safety of surrounding people and animals, as well as property from damage caused by a pet;
- safety of the accompanying pet;
- compliance with sanitary, hygienic and veterinary standards and regulations;
- the presence of a leash for pets that may pose a danger to human life or health, as well as a muzzle on dogs of breeds included in the List of Dangerous Dog Breeds, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated November 10, 2021 No. 1164.
