Dangerous dogs
Any person owning a potentially dangerous dog (perros
potencialmente peligrosos) in Spain must have an appropriate
licence (by law of article 3 of the Royal Decree 287/2002, of 22
of March 2002) and the dog must be registered with the
municipality. Handlers and walkers of dangerous or potentially
dangerous dogs must also be licenced (article 1, 2 of Law
50/1999, of December 1999). A licence is valid for five years.
Potentially dangerous dog are identified as being in one of
three categories:
1) Breeds and breed crosses classified as potentially
dangerous:
- Doberman (Andalucia only)
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Rottweiler
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Tosa Inu
- Akita Inu
2) Dogs with certain characteristics of these breeds are also
classified as potentially dangerous. The characteristics are:
- Strong musculature, powerful or athletic constitution,
robustness, agility, vigor and endurance
- Short hair
- Deep chest (60 to 80 cm), height of over 50 cm and a
weight over 20 Kg
- Big, square, head, with a wide skull and strong jaws
- Broad, short and muscled neck.
- Straight, parallel forelegs and muscular hindquarters,
relatively long back legs standing at an angle
3) Dogs that have a track record of aggression to humans and
other animals must also be licenced and registered.
Dog owner licence application
The licence application is made to the municipality of the
place of residence. The applicant must take the following (an
applicant must be over 18 years):
- Proof of identity (passport or residence card)
- Proof of having no criminal convictions
- Proof of being mentally and physically capable of
looking after one of these animals. (There are centres test
of physical and psychological aptitude can be done and a
certificate issued. The certificate must have been issued in
the previous 12 months)
- An insurance contract for the dog with a liability of at
least €120,000 (€175,000 in Andalucia)
- Proof of fully up-to-date vaccinations
- Proof of identification by microchip
- Proof that the dog is or has attended training school
Once accepted, a licence (the licencia para tener perros
potencialmente peligrosos) is issued.
- For an example of the Madrid Municipality licence
application form:
Click here (PDF in Spanish)
Dog registration
Potentially dangerous dogs must be registered with the
municipal registry for dangerous dogs (Registro Municipal de
Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos). Registration of the dog
must be renewed annually.
Take:
- Proof of identification and microchip number's
certificate
- Certificate from the vet stating that the dog is in good
health
Walking a potentially dangerous dog
Dog owners or handlers must carry the licence and dog
registration document when out with the dog. The dog must be
muzzled and on a lead of no more than two metres long (one metre
in Andalucia). Only one dog may be handled per person. In
Andalucia, dangerous animals are banned from entering children's
leisure or recreational areas.
- Comprehensive information is available from the Spanish
Embassy in Washington DC:
Click here
Note: In most municipalities, only one dog may be
registered to one person. The property where the dogs are kept
must be enclosed by a two metre high barrier.
- Further information on dog licences and the regulations
is available from the CIAA (Centro Integral de Acogida
de Animales):
Click here (in Spanish)