A bill presented by Deputy Yamil Esgaib of the Colorado Party (ANR), elected in Asunción, proposes licenses, mandatory registration and rules for taking dogs classified as potentially dangerous out in Paraguay. The proposal has not yet reached the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies and is expected to be examined first by committees.
Ownership would depend on a license issued by the municipality where the owner lives. The responsible person would have to be an adult and able to provide the animal with the necessary care. The bill also provides for the registration of owners, breeders, importers and guardians, with information about the responsible person, the dog and its usual place of residence kept by municipalities and the National Directorate for the Defense, Health and Welfare of Animals. Registration would cost the equivalent of one jornal, that is, the daily minimum wage.
In purchases, sales, donations or other transfers, both the seller and the buyer would have to present a valid license. An up-to-date health record would also be required, as would recording the change of ownership in the competent register within 15 days of the new responsible person obtaining the license.
The list includes more than 20 breeds and crossbreeds: pit bull, American pit bull, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila, Brazilian Fila, Tosa Inu, Akita Inu, Doberman, Neapolitan Mastiff, Presa Canario, Majorca Mastiff, Bullmastiff, mastiffo Neapolitan mastiff, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Chow Chow and Uruguayan Cimarrón. The classification also considers physical strength, morphological characteristics, previous records and handling conditions capable of causing serious injuries.
In public spaces, the dogs would have to wear a leash or chain shorter than two meters and an approved muzzle appropriate for the breed. The text prohibits training aimed exclusively at increasing or reinforcing aggressiveness for fights or attacks.
Violations would be divided into minor, serious and very serious, with fines of five to 15, 16 to 30 and 31 to 100 minimum wages, respectively. Additional sanctions include the confiscation or seizure of the animal, closure of the establishment and suspension of the license or trainer's certificate mentioned in the bill.
In the explanatory statement, Esgaib cited attacks in Mariano Roque Alonso and Ciudad del Este and a complaint about repeated attacks on pets in Mora Cué and Itapuamí, in Luque. He says that living alongside dogs should combine protection and animal welfare with the safety of people, property and other animals.
Because the legislative process is still at an early stage, the requirements, list of breeds and fine amounts may be changed during the legislative review.