Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty has called for protests on Saturday, December 6, urging the Parliament to vote against the president’s ‘chain law’ proposal.
Czarzasty Calls for Protest
Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty announced on December 6 that protests would be held against the “chain law” on the same day. He urged members of the Sejm to reject the presidential veto and highlighted the need for collective action. He emphasized, “Come together! Let’s reject chains!”
President Nawrocki’s Veto
Karol Nawrocki refused to sign the “chain law” for several reasons. He said the rule—requiring small kennel sizes for dogs—was absurd and that the presidential proposal would force dogs out of chains. According to Zbigniew Bogucki, the president’s chief of staff, the new regulation could threaten owners financially, lead to abandonment, and deter adoptions.
Presidential Draft Bill
In response, Nawrocki submitted his own draft bill. It prohibits the confinement of dogs in restraining devices and requires kennels that are insulated, heated, or outdoors, with a wooden or wood‑based enclosure sized appropriately. The draft exempts dogs used for special purposes and working dogs.
Proposed Requirements for Kennels
Owners would need to ensure that their dog’s enclosure meets the specified standards and that safety measures prevent escape from the home. The bill also mandates proper adaptation of the kennel to the dog’s size.
Legal and Practical Concerns
Advocate Katarzyna Topczewska highlighted potential challenges: a police officer arriving at a scene might find a guard dog in a 1 m enclosure and, if the owner says it is sufficient, the officer would have little recourse. She criticized the “genial” thinking behind the president’s proposal.