The Câmara dos Deputados approved a project on Wednesday (12) that creates a very serious infraction for abandoning animals with vehicles. The measure provides for CNH suspension of up to 18 months for those who abandon dogs or cats, doubling the period if there is injury or death of the animal.
Penalties and License Restrictions for Animal Abandonment
Under the newly approved legislation, drivers caught using vehicles to abandon animals face suspension of the Carteira Nacional de Habilitação. The text sets the maximum suspension at 18 months specifically for cases involving dogs or cats. In addition to losing driving privileges, motorists will be subject to a fine. According to the project text, the value will be doubled if the animal suffers injuries, is run over, or dies after abandonment. If a driver commits the infraction again within a 24-month period, the project provides for cassation of the CNH.
Relator of the proposal, deputado Fred Costa (PRD-MG) stated that the use of a vehicle aggravates the situation because it allows taking the animal to distant places, making its return, rescue, or the identification of the person responsible difficult. Costa stated that the practice broadens the risks of being run over, hunger, thirst, diseases, exposure to the climate, and attacks from other animals, besides representing danger to the safety of the roadways.
Extension of Rules to Watercraft and Boats
The legislative measures extend to the use of boats, speedboats, and water scooters in animal abandonment. The project extends the punishments to the use of boats, lanchas, and personal watercraft. In this case, the operator may have the certificate of habilitation suspended for 12 months. When the abandoned animal is a dog or a cat, the deadline also rises to 18 months.
These aquatic regulations cover cases registered in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, bays, and other inland waters. To enter into force, the proposal still needs to be approved by the Senado.
Did You Know?
The newly approved legislation specifically targets water bodies such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and bays, establishing a 12-month suspension for general watercraft operators that increases to 18 months when dogs or cats are involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for abandoning a dog or cat using a vehicle?
The project establishes a very serious infraction carrying a driver’s license suspension of up to 18 months, doubling the prazo if there is injury or death of the animal.
Do these rules apply to boats and watercraft?
Yes. The legislation extends penalties to operators of boats, speedboats, and water scooters operating in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, bays, and other inland waters. The suspension is 12 months, or 18 months if the abandoned animal is a dog or cat.
What happens if a driver repeats this offense?
If a driver commits the infraction again within a 24-month period, the project authorizes cassation of the CNH.
What steps should local authorities take to enforce vehicle-based animal abandonment laws on interior waterways?
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