Putin Signed Bill to Ban All Forms of Cruelty to Animals

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On Thursday, according to documents uploaded to the official online database of Russian legislative information, President V V Putin signed a decree on responsible treatment of animals outlawing all forms of cruelty to animals and established rules of pet ownership. The law was introduced in 2010 to the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, the RF Gosduma, and took eight years for passage. The law contains basic principles of pet ownership, based on responsible, ethical, and humane treatment of animals. It also streamlines the rights and responsibilities of federal, regional, and municipal authorities on the issue of pet ownership. The law establishes rules of ownership and use of animals, and of their protection against cruel treatment. Besides, it outlaws the propaganda of cruel treatment of animals and sets forth requirements for ownership of pets and service animals, as well as for their use in cultural and entertaining events.

Bans and Restrictions

The new law prohibits free and uncontrolled movement of animals in areas with road traffic, in lifts, and in other common areas of residential buildings, as well as in yards, recreational areas, playgrounds, and sporting grounds. From now on, owners must clean the waste left by their pet in those areas. Now, municipal authorities can prohibit animal walks in certain zones. The document also stipulates that dogs of potentially dangerous breeds can take walks only with a muzzle and on a leash. The only exception is when a dog walks on restricted territory belonging to its owner and marked with a warning sign. The Russian government will compile a list of those dangerous breeds. The law also defines the legal status of animal shelters and sets rules for establishing, keeping, and using them. From now on, anyone capturing stray animals must record it with a camera and make public all information about them. The document also outlaws petting zoos and animal fights, as well as keeping animals in bars and restaurants.

28 December 2018

TASS

http://tass.com/society/1038276

18 October 2018. Animal Funnies… I’m Here to Tell Youse Guys Where the Cat’s Hangin’ Out

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Ermitazh Cat Predicts Switzerland will Defeat Sweden at World Cup

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Akhill (Achilles), a white-furred tomcat reputed to have psychic powers, predicted that the Swiss team will win a match against Sweden in the FIFA World Cup’s Round of 16 in St Petersburg on Tuesday. The oracle cat confidently approached a food bowl with the Swiss flag at the State Ermitazh Museum in St Petersburg and ate the food. Last time, the blue-eyed cat, who made flawless predictions for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, was wrong when forecasting the outcome of a match between Nigeria and Argentina, and now the feline has to confirm his psychic powers. The cat was correct in choosing the Russian national team as the winner over Saudi Arabia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup’s opener in Moscow on 14 June and also the outcomes of the matches at the stadium in St Petersburg. Achilles also predicted the victory of Iran’s team over Morocco on 15 June, Russia’s victory over Egypt on 19 June and Brazil’s victory over Costa Rica on 22 June. During a match between Argentina and Nigeria, Akhill chose Nigeria, but Argentina won 2-1.

Akhill became the animal oracle because he displayed analytical capabilities and unique behaviour. Moreover, he’s deaf as many white cats are, yet this impairment doesn’t sidetrack the feline and lets him better concentrate on his predictions. The cat was right about the outcomes of three out of four 2017 Confederation Cup matches played in St Petersburg, including the opening and final matches. His “performance” during the World Cup is a joint project on bolstering tourism to St Petersburg and the Ermitazh Museum. Akhill will predict the results of the World Cup’s semifinal and a match for the third place scheduled in St Petersburg on 10 July and 14 July.

3 July 2018

TASS

http://tass.com/society/1011782

24 June 2018. Animal Funnies… A House Isn’t a Home Until There’s a Cat in It!

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