For many, pets have become not only beloved pets or friends, but also real members of the family. During full-scale military operations on the territory of our country, many different stories related to pets are known. Someone left a chihuahua near the car on the sidewalk, closed the door and drove away, someone was taken out by volunteers from under fire in cars with seven people and large dogs. Across the border, families ran to Europe, holding carriers with animals instead of an extra suitcase with belongings. Someone refused to leave the territory on which the occupation was approaching precisely because he had no idea where he would find housing with dogs and cats.
IA “FAKT” turned to the lawyers of the “Repeshko and Partners” Bar Association to find out what exactly has been updated, what documents will be required now, where the rights of a passenger with a pet end and violations begin.
Taking into account that right now pets are moving around the country more often than ever before, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine made changes to Resolution No. 1402 of November 16, 2011, which approved the Rules for the Transportation of Animals. They establish requirements for the transportation of animals by air, road, rail, sea and river transport.
Let’s note the main things that pet owners need to know. Animals can be transported with or without an accompanying person. At the same time, the transportation of animals without an accompanying person is carried out in the case when:
- the animals are in closed containers that are properly ventilated, contain feed and water in dispensers in a volume sufficient for transportation lasting twice as long as planned;
- the carrier acts as an accompanying person;
- the person who cares for the animals at the stopping points is appointed as the sender.
It is important that during the loading, transportation and unloading of animals it is prohibited to:
- hit animals;
- press on particularly sensitive places on the body of animals, which can cause them pain or suffering;
- hang animals using mechanical means;
- lift or pull animals by the head, ears, horns, paws, tail or skin;
- use needles, spikes or other prickly means;
- prevent the movement of animals that are taken to the place of loading, veterinary treatment, etc.
It should be remembered that, among other things, the following are considered suitable for transportation:
- animals that feel pain during movement or cannot move on their own;
- puppies and kittens under the age of 56 days, except when they are transported together with their mother;
- females during the last period of pregnancy (the last tenth of the total period of pregnancy);
- newborn animals with an unhealed umbilical cord;
- animals with severe open wounds or loss of organs.
Sick or injured animals are considered suitable for transportation if they:
- have minor injuries or illnesses that do not cause them additional suffering during transportation. At the same time, the issue of suitability of animals for transportation is decided upon the recommendation of a specialist in the field of veterinary medicine;
- transported as part of the implementation of scientific research programs in the event that injury or illness is foreseen by such a program;
- transported for the purpose of treatment or diagnosis.
Note that the sender provides the carrier with veterinary documents (veterinary and sanitary passport, veterinary certificate) for the animals to be transported, which are attached to the transport document and confirm the possibility of transportation. The accompanying person is obliged to: provide direct protection, feed and feed, supervise the health of the animals, as well as maintain proper sanitary and technical condition of the means of transportation.
Dogs, cats and other small animals are transported in appropriate means of transportation with a continuous solid bottom, which can be located in several tiers. Dogs and cats being transported must be fed and watered at intervals not exceeding 24 and eight hours, respectively. In the case of transportation of pets by rail, dogs of large breeds are transported in the vestibule of the train car (no more than one dog in the vestibule) in muzzles on a strong leash under the supervision of an accompanying person, and dogs of small breeds are transported in the owner’s arms or under the seat.
Other animals (no more than two) are transported in the means of transportation and placed in places designated for hand luggage. In case of transportation of pets by road transport, it is allowed to transport small pets, small dogs and cats (weighing up to 10 kilograms) in special means of transportation (cage, container, box, basket, backpack, bag or other container with a waterproof absorbent bottom) in the interior of the vehicle, which make it impossible to damage or contaminate the internal equipment of the vehicle and passengers’ belongings. At the same time, transportation must be carried out in the hands of the passenger, under the seats or on the adjacent seat, provided that the seat is purchased at the cost of the adult passenger’s fare and there are absorbent mats to protect the seat.
Medium-sized dogs (weighing from 10 to 20 kilograms) and large dogs (weighing from 20 to 45 kilograms) must be transported in a muzzle and on a leash (chain or belt attachment), provided that all seats located next to the seat of the accompanying person and not separated from it by an aisle are purchased at the cost of the adult passenger. At the same time, it is prohibited to place such dogs on the seats. The dog is placed on the floor under the seats if there are absorbent mats. The accompanying person is obliged to supervise the dog in order to prevent disturbance of the peace and safety of passengers and the carrier’s staff. At the same time, it is allowed to transport no more than one (two if accompanied by one person) domestic animal specified in this point in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
At the same time, dogs weighing more than 45 kilograms are transported according to the rules of the carrier on specially equipped transport. Transportation is carried out if the animal has a properly issued veterinary passport.
However, the transportation of guide dogs that accompany persons with disabilities, regardless of their weight, is carried out with a muzzle and a leash (chain or belt attachment). The guide dog must be close to the passenger it is accompanying and must be kept on a short leash (chain or belt leash).
In all cases, the passenger must ensure compliance with sanitary and hygienic rules and norms during the transportation of animals and eliminate their violations, except for persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a guide dog. The accompanying person is obliged to be with the animal at all times during the entire trip and not to leave the animal alone or under the supervision of outsiders.
We would like to remind you that Ukrzaliznytsia, in turn, updated the Rules for the transportation of passengers, baggage, and cargo, in terms of the liberalization of the conditions for the transportation of pets. The rules include the following requirements:
- large dogs (above 45 cm at the withers) can now travel in all types of carriages (in particular SV, RIC and Intercity+), if the passenger has purchased all seats in the corresponding compartment or block of seats in the same row in Intercity+ and Intercity. Dogs must be on the floor next to their owner, under or next to the seats;
- service dogs of military personnel can travel free of charge in any carriage – they must be muzzled and on a leash;
- animal carriers must be rigid: it is allowed to use bags, backpacks or other means of transportation with a waterproof absorbent bottom;
- small animals (in particular, dogs up to 45 cm at the withers) can stay in the compartment without a carrier – provided that all seats are purchased.
It is important that in all cases passengers must have veterinary documents and a ticket for the animal, as well as a leash and muzzle for large dogs. In case of allergies or discomfort of other passengers, the train crew will help organize a transfer within the train.
You should know that the cost of transporting a large-breed dog and a small-breed dog (except for one individual); small rooms animals, indoor decorative birds, poultry (except for one seat) is half the cost of a full ticket for each individual or seat. If a passenger experiences discomfort or allergies due to the presence of an animal, he should contact the conductor or steward – the train crew will offer another convenient place for the onward journey.
Persons with disabilities with visual impairments, upon presentation of a document certifying the right to a benefit, are allowed to carry a guide dog with them in carriages of all categories without additional payment, while the owner of the guide dog must ensure the presence of a muzzle. The guide dog must be close to the passenger it is accompanying and must be kept on a short leash (chain or belt leash).
And finally, after the changes in the Rules for the transportation of animals, passengers should have not only carriers and documents for the animal, but also copies of current regulatory provisions, so that in the event of a conflict with the carrier or the controller, they can refer to specific wordings. It is important to clarify in advance the internal requirements of a specific carrier — some companies establish additional rules that formally do not contradict the general ones. In disputed situations, we advise you to act calmly, demand a written explanation of the refusal to transport or draw up an act, and record the violation on video — this will help protect your rights in the future.
