Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek posted a video of his dog Tofik to criticize President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of the “chain law,” igniting parliamentary debate over animal welfare.
Waldemar Żurek and Tofik
In a recent X post, Minister Żurek released footage of his dog Tofik, highlighting the dog’s freedom compared to thousands of animals chained in cold and rain.
“Why the President Did It,” Says Minister
Żurek explained that the president’s decision to veto the law was baffling, noting that the dog’s enclosure is only 10 m², far below the 28 m² space proposed for the president’s “studio apartment.” He urged that dogs should have crates instead of chains and called for the veto to be reversed rather than upheld.
The Chain Law. Sejm Will Attempt to Overturn President’s Veto
On 26 September, the Sejm adopted an amendment to the animal protection act, popularly known as the chain law, with support from 280 MPs including members of the ruling coalition and 49 Law and Justice MPs such as Jarosław Kaczyński and Mariusz Błaszczak. The president vetoed the bill on Tuesday. The president’s office submitted a new draft to the Sejm, where opposition leaders have announced plans to vote against overturning the veto.
Radosław Fogiel: I Will Vote Against Overturning the Veto
MP Radosław Fogiel told Radio Zet that he will oppose moving to overturn the president’s veto. He argued that the law addresses not only dogs but all animals and that its provisions have broader support among his colleagues.