Salobreña kicked off the year with a campaign focussed on owning pets; more specifically, mutts, which entails stricter controls on what they get up to.

It was the Councillor for The Environment,  Ángel Coello, who announced that the municipal police who would be carrying out checks on dogs to make sure that they are chipped etc .

The Ley 11/2003 del 24 de noviembre outlines pet owner obligation, amongst which is one which states that a dog cannot roam free, but must be accompanied by its owner and should never represent a threat to passersby or other animals, which is why they must always be on a lead.

Dogs that weigh over 20 kilos, regardless of whether they are considered a dangerous breed, must wear a muzzle and be on a strong lead (never one that has a variable length; in other words, can run out on a spool. The person walking the dog must be an adult.

Stating what should not need stating, pets must not be maltreated through cruelty or negligence. Amen.

Finally, although at the moment, the police will not be issuing fines for infractions, this possibility has not been discounted in the near future.

(News: Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)