Pets on Buses in Tenerife has long been a contentious issue, closely monitored by animal lovers and animal owners.
How many words have we already written about pets systematically being denied access to trams and buses in Tenerife, or allowed only under controversial conditions, such as riding in the luggage compartment of a bus?
The good news is that, as of June 1, 2023, pets are allowed on trams and buses. However, the exact arrangements and regulations remain unclear. Even unions were left in the dark about how this would be implemented. Consequently, the Federation of Services, Mobility, and Consumption of the UGT Canarias union asked the island government – Cabildo de Tenerife – to develop a protocol that clarifies how staff should apply the new rules. So far, we have not been able to access such a response.
Safety and Hygiene
No specific details have been released. There is no information on the criteria pets must meet to board public transport. How will space be organized, and what are the size or weight restrictions for dogs? With only a few days left before the measure takes effect, the union is urging the authorities for clarity.
From June 1, pets will also be allowed to ride buses and trams on Tenerife for free, as approved by the Tenerife Island Council. However, rules must be adjusted to ensure safety, hygiene, and coexistence with all passengers. There should be no discrimination based on breed or weight, unlike previous regulations. Furthermore, it is suggested that the same measures and policies be applied across all municipalities on Tenerife to avoid rule variations and ensure transparency on this matter.
Animals Have Feelings
On January 5, 2021, a Spanish law came into effect recognizing animals as sentient beings. The Civil Code was amended to reflect the nature of animals and to align with the relationships that pets have with people as family members.
Unlike many European cities, most Spanish public transport companies still make it difficult for dogs, especially those over ten kilos. Comparisons have been drawn with other European cities, leading to the conclusion that people today have a closer bond with pets than in the past, creating a new perspective on the issue.
Naturally, pet transport on trams and buses must be subject to specific guidelines, with the pet handler taking responsibility for any incidents on board.
Conclusion
Many questions remain unanswered. What about taxis? Must dogs from “dangerous” breeds wear muzzles? To what extent will small dogs need to be transported in carriers? Will the size of carriers remain at 60 x 35 x 35 centimeters, and what about the 10-kilogram weight limit?
We conclude that pets should be able to accompany us on trams and buses in Tenerife, provided there is sufficient space in the passenger area and the animals adhere to basic hygiene standards. Most importantly, passenger safety must be ensured. The specific measures and restrictions are still unknown. Should the authorities offer more transparency, we will promptly share that information.
For Full Disclosure
For complete transparency, we are publishing the translation of the text on Titsa’s Facebook page, which we assume was posted by an official source.
❗️ We remind you of the new regulations for transporting animals on #TITSA ❗️
🐶 𝗗𝗢𝗚𝗦 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟬 𝗞𝗚
✅ Only one dog per vehicle with an accessible entrance is allowed.
✅ Priority for the reserved space is as follows: wheelchairs, strollers, companion dogs, and foldable bikes.
✅ Dogs may only travel on buses with wheelchair space and must not occupy seats or stand in aisles or on steps.
✅ Dogs over 10 kg must wear a muzzle and stay close to their handler.
✅ Access for dogs is not allowed from 7:00 to 9:00 and from 13:00 to 15:00 on weekdays and during peak times.
✅ Drivers or control staff may deny access to dogs with aggressive behavior, poor hygiene, or those that are wet.
✅ Owners are responsible for any damage caused by dogs over 10 kg and must carry the animal’s necessary administrative and health documents.
✅ The vehicle’s liability insurance does not cover companion dogs.
🐶 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗦
✅ Service dogs are allowed on all buses, with no limit on the number, as long as they are certified by recognized centers.
✅ In cases where a service dog and another dog over 10 kg are both present, both may board the bus.
🐶 𝗗𝗢𝗚𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗦 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟬 𝗞𝗚
✅ There is no limit on the number of seats for dogs and other pets under 10 kg, as long as they travel in a carrier.
✅ Limited to one pet per person.
Guy Devos © Photography
Pets on buses in Tenerife ©
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