Estonia's Chancellor of Justice has told two ministries to write clear legal rules for using live wild boar to train hunting dogs, so that the animals' welfare is protected, ERR News reports.
The Estonian Union for the Protection of Animals had asked whether a 2022 regulation was lawful. Brought in to tackle African swine fever, it exempts wild boar kept for dog training from a ban on keeping pigs outdoors. Deputy chancellor adviser Olari Koppel said that exemption was within the minister's powers, but it did not itself give any legal basis for the training.
Under the Animal Protection Act, animals must not be caused pain or suffering. If training cannot be done without that, Koppel said, only parliament could decide to allow an exception. He urged the regional affairs and climate ministries to set conditions in law.
Source: ERR News
