The government-initiated animal protection bill’s latest version proposes that dogs weighing 23 kilogrammes or more would be exempted from the requirement of wearing a muzzle in public areas if they have passed an obedience test at the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Jose Fonseca Tavares, who heads the bureau, said yesterday.
The legislature’s 1st Standing Committee met yesterday to discuss the bill with representatives from five groups and senior officials including Tavares, who spoke to reporters afterwards. The government said last week it hoped the bill will finally become law and come into force on September 1.
Pointing out that Macau has currently around 1,000 licensed dogs weighing 23 kilogrammes or more, Tavares said his bureau had sufficient staff to conduct the obedience tests. He also said the dogs would be allowed to “take the test again and again until they passed”.
Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) President Jose Fonseca Tavares speaks to reporters after attending a meeting of the legislature’s 1st Standing Committee yesterday. Photos: Davis Ip
Abandoned Animals Protection Association of Macau (AAPAM) Chairwoman Yoko Choi Wing Chi talks to reporters after attending yesterday’s committee meeting about the government’s animal protection bill.
